Employment for Persons Served by ELARC

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Welcome to ELARC’s Employment Web page:

It is our agency's commitment to encourage and support employment and career goals of the persons we serve. This page will provide information about how to obtain employment, how employment impacts benefits, who provides employment services, employment opportunities in the community, and information about transitioning into adult life. Click here to view our Employment Handbook. The handbook is also available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean. You may also view the ELARC Employment Fact Sheet (English with Spanish), or click here to view the ELARC Employment Fact Sheet in English with Chinese.

ELARC is committed to providing all consumers with current information on laws and programs in the area of employment; this is a very exciting time as new and expanded employment programs have created employment exploration, training, and placement opportunities for our consumers who choose employment as a goal.


SUCCESS STORIES:

Watch Nikita's inspiring story of becoming an artist and how a Paid Internship Program has supported the growth of her Micro-enterprise. 

 

Check out Nikita's website, "Fish Kisses A lifestyle Blog" https://nikitawang7.wixsite.com/fish-kisses

Be on the lookout for future art showcases!

Follow Nikita on Instagram @ARTBOSSNIKITA or TikTok @WORLDOFNIKITA

We would like to thank The Institute for the Redesign of Learning and Siren Arts for this inspiring video.

For more information regarding the Paid Internship Program, please contact ELARC's Employment Team at employment@elarc.org

We are proud to share with you, on an ongoing basis, individual employment success stories of our consumers and hope their stories serve as a point of information, motivation, and inspiration! View additional success stories below:


NOTICES:

  • Coordinated Career Pathwasy: A New Service: 

    Coordinated Career Pathways (CCP) is a new service that helps people with developmental disabilities achieve their career goals. It will help people find jobs in the community that offer equal pay, benefits, and opportunities for growth, regardless of whether they have a disability. These types of jobs are called competitive integrated employment. ELARC is currently developing this new service and will keep our community updated as we proceed.

    (CCP) is specifically designed for individuals with developmental disabilities served by regional centers to achieve Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) or post-secondary education. It is targeted for individuals within 2 years of exiting high school (including students that elect to graduate early) and individuals who are exiting or recently exited a work activity program or other subminimum wage setting. CCP services will be tailored to the specific needs and work goals of the individual being served through development of a Person Centered Career Plan. CCP has two services – A Career Pathway Navigator (CPN) and Customized Employment Specialist (CES).

    Individuals and Families: View the CCP Fact Sheet for Individuals and Families and Learn More here!

    Service Providers: View the CCP Fact Sheet for Service Providers and Learn More here!

    View the Person Centered Career Plan Fact Sheet here!

    Visit the CCP page on the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) website https://www.dds.ca.gov/services/coordinated-career-pathways-ccp-services/

    Contact ELARC Employment Specialist Stephanie Ulloa-Gonzalez at sulloa@elarc.org for more information. 

  • Quality Incentive Program (QIP): The QIP is designed to improve consumer outcomes, service provider performance, and the quality of services. Participating service providers that meet or exceed quality measures developed by DDS with input from stakeholders, are eligible for incentive payments. View the Department of Developmental Services website for more details, https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/vendor-provider/quality-incentive-program/
  • Final "California Competitive Integrated Employment” Blueprint Released by the State for Public Comment: Three state agencies –the Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Rehabilitation and the California Department of Education, along with Disability Rights California, in a process overseen and facilitated by the California Health and Human Services Agency, released the final draft “California Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Blueprint”. This Blueprint is for the implementation of policies to “…increase opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities to prepare for and engage in CIE [competitive integrated employment] and reduce reliance upon subminimum wage jobs and segregated work settings. To view the final draft Blueprint, please visit the California Health and Human Services Agency webpage at, https://www.chhs.ca.gov/home/cie/. The Blueprint is available in several languages at the CHHS website.


Seeking a Job

employment woman working computer

Being an adult is a time when you decide what you want to do with your life.

Some questions you might be asked include:

  • What do you want to be or do when you grow up? 
  • Do you want to go to school?
  • Do you want a career?
  • Do you want a job?
  • Do you want money?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years from now?
  • Do you want to buy a car, a home, go on trips, etc.?

The Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center is committed in identifying employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities who want to work.

The focus of this section is to provide you with resources, options, and information to help you find a job that meets your needs.

employment wheelchair victory

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things to consider when looking for a job:

Your skills, accommodations, preferences, difficulties,or any other assistance needed. 

View the “PCT Employment Questionnaire.” This can help you clarify, identify, and discuss your employment goals. Feel free to print it and complete it on your own time or with your circle of support. You are also encouraged to bring this questionnaire to your Service Coordinator to address these goals in your IPP. 

Additional information:

Please note that your Regional Center Service Coordinator is available to answer any additional questions you may have. Additionally, should you have any questions, comments, or concerns related to the subject of employment, transition, or benefits, please email our Employment Team at employment@elarc.org and someone will respond to your inquiry.  


Benefits Planning

employment moneyAfraid of losing benefits if working or need some assistance understanding work incentives? Here are some resources:

Work Incentives Planning Assistance Program (WIPA): Community Work Incentives Coordinator-Nina Schultz, Verdugo Jobs Center, 1255 South Central Ave., Glendale, Ca. 91204.  818 937-8020.  fschultz@ci.glendale.ca.us

Understanding Work Incentives

Disability Benefits Planning Tool

Social Security Office and PASS Plan/Red Book

Ticket to Work

World Institute on Disability

The effect of working on Medi-Cal Benefits and CHIIP (California Health Incentives Improvement Project)

 


Employment Service Providers

 employment open doors

Regional Center coordinates employment services through Supported Employment Programs (SEPs) and Work Activity Programs (WAPs). The following links provide useful information on Supported Employment and Work Activity Programs:

Listing of Supported Employment and Work Activity Programs

The following vendors/providers have signed a partnership commitment with ELARC


Employment Community Partners

Are you an employer and business owner looking for qualified employees? Please contact our Employment Team at ELARC Employment employment@elarc.org to share your job opening.

employment hiring bubble manResources for Employers:

US Department of Labor 

Job Announcements:

  • Aveanna Support Services has been awarded a grant to expand ongoing efforts and commitment to employment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). View their flyer here. View their Job description and qualifications at https://aveannasupportservices.com/jobs/ For Individuals served by ELARC, please send resumes of interested consumers to employment@elarc.org for review.

  • The County of Los Angeles Youth@Work Program: The goal of the Youth Program is to provide youth with a menu of services that offer access to paid work-based learning, work readiness, paid personal enrichment training, academic and career development, and advanced career services. The services may be rendered in a progressive or combined manner as appropriate to meet participant needs. To Apply: Complete the interest form at https://yaw.opportunity.lacounty.gov/yaw-participant. For more details, view their FLYER HERE.


Transitioning to Adult Life 

employment seated wheelchair

Transitioning to adult life can come with many challenges but it can also include exciting opportunities! There are many things to consider and decisions to make. You may want to attend college after leaving high school, or attend a vocational school, or maybe start working right away. Whatever path you choose, it is important to give yourself plenty of time to plan, research, and talk with your parents and other important people in your life about what you want to do.

One important area of adult life is employment. Having a job makes it possible for you to earn money to pay for your needs and leisure activities. But finding a job takes planning and preparation. It's also very important to know what you're good at and what areas you need help in order to find a job that fits you. There are a number of resources available to you. This website includes a number of links to resources that can help you with your job search and with the supports you may need:

Autism Speaks


Additional Resources

Education:

Vocational/Occupational Specific Training Opportunities:

America’s Job Centers: (WIPA and other employment services):

Other: