News Summary
The Intensive Supported Employment (ISE) program by Goodwill of Orange County faces funding challenges despite successfully helping individuals with developmental disabilities secure jobs. The program, aided by a state grant, connects participants with local job opportunities and offers support services. However, concerns arise as funding is projected to run out, particularly with the upcoming ban on federal 14(c) certificates, leading to potential job losses. Advocacy for legislative support is ongoing to ensure the program’s sustainability and positive impact on the workforce.
FULLERTON, California – The Intensive Supported Employment (ISE) program, run by Goodwill of Orange County in conjunction with the Regional Center of Orange County, is facing funding challenges despite its success in providing job opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. The program has employed six individuals at various local businesses over the past year and a half, enhancing their job prospects and confidence in the workplace.
The ISE program connects individuals with developmental disabilities to local job opportunities while offering crucial support services such as personalized occupational assessments, transportation assistance, and competitive pay. Participants are generally employed above minimum wage, with job coaches accompanying them throughout their work shifts to provide necessary guidance and support.
Currently, two employees, Helenia Reynaud and David Campos, are thriving at Found Rental Company in Fullerton as part of this pilot program. They contribute by wrapping, cleaning, and vacuuming furniture, roles that have been positively received by their employer, who appreciates the joy and benefits these employees bring to the workplace.
The program has been sustained by a state grant of approximately $500,000, but organizers anticipate the funding may be depleted by early next year. While the current grant is set to continue until February 2026, it only allocates salaries for the six workers in the program, raising concerns among both participants and staff about the program’s sustainability moving forward.
The success of the ISE program reflects a broader effort to provide meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, particularly in light of California’s recent ban on federal 14(c) certificates. These certificates previously allowed employers to pay disabled workers below minimum wage. With the ban effective from January 1, 2025, many individuals could lose their job opportunities if no alternative supports are established.
Goodwill staff and representatives from the Regional Center are advocating for legislative support to ensure the longevity and impact of the ISE program, emphasizing its vital role in creating job placements that enrich both the workforce and the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Employers are encouraged to consider hiring these workers, though there remain apprehensions about accommodating those who require job coaches to succeed in their roles.
The ISE program has successfully placed participants in various jobs, including positions at Café Zocalo, Cookie Element, and Dave and Buster’s, establishing a track record of improvement in employees’ comfort and confidence levels on the job. The program aims to offer alternatives to the 14(c) certificates, working towards full integration of individuals with disabilities into the community and workforce.
Rick Adams of Goodwill of Orange County describes the initiative as essential for providing the necessary support to individuals with developmental disabilities while promoting their professional growth and independence. As the program continues its work, the need for increased investment in support services remains urgent to ensure that these job opportunities remain available and that individuals can thrive in their employment.
As it stands, the time is critical for securing additional funding and advocacy for the ISE program, as stakeholders express a sense of urgency in addressing the current financial uncertainties. The dedication to fostering a more inclusive workforce has never been more apparent, as program organizers strive to uphold the integrity and success of the ISE for years to come.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: OC Employment Program for People with Developmental Disabilities
- Wikipedia: Disability Employment
- Click Orlando: Orange County Italian Ice Shop to be Sold
- Google Search: Employment Programs for Disabled Workers
- LAist: Orange County Assessor Claude Parrish Harassment Investigation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Disability
