The second annual report of the Employment First Committee (EFC) of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities includes: priorities adopted by the State Council as recommended by the EFC; second-year work of the EFC, interagency activities, and policy activities; the current status of the employment of individuals with developmental disabilities; and next steps for the EFC.
“The overall goal of the California Initiative to Promote the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (CaPROMISE) was to increase the self-sufficiency for youth receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and their families.
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) in collaboration with five State agencies, 20 Local Education Agencies (LEAs), 16 Family Resource Centers (FRCs), four Independent Living Centers (ILCs), five university programs in rehabilitation education and the Interwork Institute at San Diego State University (SDSU-II) administered and implemented CaPROMISE from October 2013 to June 2019.
3,273 youth who were current SSI recipients between the ages of 14 and 16 were randomly assigned to the Usual Services Group (n=1,627) or the CaPROMISE group (n=1,646). Participants in the Usual Services Group did not receive individualized support and interventions; whereas, participants in the CaPROMISE Group and their families received individualized support and interventions to achieve targeted outcomes including: graduating from high school; participating in and completing postsecondary education, job training and work experiences; and/or obtaining competitive employment in an integrated setting.”
"Our Mission is to provide adults with disabilities a place in our community to learn, work and thrive. Our training store features local foods, goods and unique artisan products as well as a shopping experience, with superb customer service provided by our associates."
Local workforce development plans are required to ensure a baseline level of WIOA core program alignment compliant with federal regulations at the local level, in and through AJCCs (the state’s One-Stop system) so that core program and mandated services are coordinated, and when appropriate, integrated to make accessible a menu of customizable services available to customers on the basis of their needs (e.g., programs should be accessible to individuals with disabilities and those that are limited English proficient and, in general, should be customer-centered such that customers can access the relevant services for which they are eligible).
This page contains frequently asked questions regarding the WorkAbility I (WAI) Vocational Education Project.
“Accordingly, the State of California established the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Program in 1989 under Public Contract Code 10115 to primarily help DVBEs compete more effectively for a portion of those dollars, and to promote self-reliance for California’s disabled veterans by offering veterans the opportunity to gain experience in business, while sharing their expertise with the citizens of California and provide a goal of awarding 3% of all state contracts to certified DVBEs. The State of California contracts billions of dollars for goods and services to ensure California’s economy stays healthy, strong, and prosperous and promotes business opportunities and participation for all of its citizenry. Small businesses, including veterans, disabled veterans, and disabled veteran business enterprises are instrumental to the good health of the State’s economy and a principal source of new jobs in California. The program also facilitates the integration of disabled veterans into California’s entrepreneurial economy because of their incomparable sacrifices made when they answered their Country’s call.”
“Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California, is a jointly-funded, federal-state health insurance program for certain low income and needy people that includes long-term care benefits. In 1981, President Reagan signed into law the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver program, section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. The legislation provided a vehicle for California to offer services not otherwise available through the Medi-Cal program to serve people (including individuals with developmental disabilities) in their own homes and communities. The HCBS Waiver program recognizes that many individuals at risk of being placed in medical facilities can be cared for in their homes and communities, preserving their independence and ties to family and friends at a cost no higher than that of institutional care.”
“Bureau to protect Californians with disabilities from discrimination and other harms
SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the establishment of the Bureau of Disability Rights (Bureau) within the Civil Rights Enforcement Section (Section) of the California Department of Justice. The Bureau will focus on matters that seek to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are advanced through specific investigations and litigation. The Bureau will also expand on the Section’s work to vindicate the rights of persons with disabilities on issues including discrimination in education, healthcare, employment, access to public services, and with regard to law enforcement involvement.”
“The Civil Rights Department (CRD) is responsible for enforcing state laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or employee because of a protected characteristic (see “What is Protected” below).”
Enacted. Version date: 09/27/2021
“c) The State Council on Developmental Disabilities, in consultation with stakeholders and relevant state agencies, as appropriate, including, but not limited to, the Department of Finance, the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the Department of Rehabilitation, the State Department of Education, and the State Department of Developmental Services, shall develop a multiyear phaseout plan with stakeholder involvement, by January 1, 2023, in accordance with the procedures set forth in subdivision (d), to pay any employee with a disability, by January 1, 2025, no less than the minimum wage otherwise required for an employee under Section 1182.12 or the applicable local minimum wage ordinance, whichever is higher.
(d) The multiyear phaseout plan, as described in subdivision (c) shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Benchmarks and desired outcomes for each year of the plan.
(2) A list of the resources necessary to ensure that employees with disabilities can receive services and support according to their needs and preferences of the individuals and in an integrated setting, regardless of the nature or severity of each individual’s disabilities, including an assessment of the financial investment needed to transition individuals to competitive integrated employment or other services, the development of new rates for new service models or additional rates necessary for competitive integrated employment supports, and suggestions for revenue streams.”