- Employment offers wages, benefits, and status.
- Employment empowers an individual to dream and create a fulfilling career.
- Through work, people develop relationships and gain self-esteem. They become a part of the community.
- Employment provides the community an opportunity to experience the capabilities and contributions made by individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Employment offers a path out of poverty and independence from service systems.
- Employment is important to the overall health and stability of any individual.
- Benefits and Employment Webinar: Provides an overview of the most common concerns or myths when it comes to benefits and employment. This webinar was sponsored by DDS and presented by Patricia Quinn from the Department of Rehabilitation.
- Disability Benefits 101 (DB101): Provides interactive benefits planning tools to see how working can impact your current benefits.
- What happens to Medi-Cal or Medicare benefits when you start working? DB101 can also help you.
- Work Incentives: Available through the Social Security Administration.
- The Red Book: Provides comprehensive information on all of Social Security’s work incentives.
- CalAble: A savings account program that allows you to save money for the future without affecting your eligibility for public benefits. With CalABLE, you can save for needs and dreams, and afford to live your best life.
- Employment Development Department: Provides workshops to navigate through Labor Market Information (LMI), resume/cover letter assistance, applying for jobs, and learning how to apply on CalJOBS.
- OC Workforce Solutions: Provides workshops to improve interview skills, resume building, free use of computer, able to print up to 10 pages, free type test, etc.
- Department of Rehabilitation Student Services: Can aid in financial assistance with college tuition and books, on the job training, internships, employment, resume, transportation, etc.
- Project Search: A high school transition program that provides on-the-job training and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: Provides funding for job training and support services for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE): Allows a person who is under age 22 and regularly attending school to exclude earnings from income so it does not affect public benefits.
- Coordinated Career Pathways (Pathways) is a new service designed for individuals exiting work activity programs, subminimum wage settings, or secondary education to achieve or advance in CIE.
- Coordinated Career Pathways Brochure (Coming Soon)
- The Paid Internship Program (PIP) is a way for individuals being served by regional centers to be paid minimum wage or more when working as an intern at a job.
- Paid Internship Program Brochure (Coming Soon)
- Employment Services are aimed at finding competitive work in a community integrated work setting for individuals who need ongoing support services to learn and perform the work.
- Employment Services Brochure (Coming Soon)
If you are interested in participating in one of the above employment services, contact your regional center service coordinator to start the referral process.
- Department of Rehabilitation: Assists Californians with disabilities obtain and retain employment and maximize their ability to live independently. Services are tailored to each individual’s strengths and challenges to ensure the greatest chance of success.
- One-Stop Career Centers: Helps individuals explore careers, find training and education, job search planning, etc.
- CalJOBS: Can help you find open positions in your area.
- The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP): An optional pathway to state employment for people with disabilities. LEAP is an alternative to the traditional testing process, which allows applicants with disabilities to demonstrate competency through on-the-job testing known as the Job Examination Period (JEP).
- The Ticket to Work program: Supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work.
- SCORE: Can help you start a business through mentorship and other resources.
- California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity (CAMEO): Can help you start a small or micro-business through financing, technical assistance, and business management training.
Last modified: May 28, 2025
