Item 24 - Regional and Unified Local Workforce Plan for PY 2021-24

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7 Blueprint, and other local partners who serve individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Competitive integrated employment (CIE) is defined within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, 2014) as full-time or part-time work at minimum wage or higher, with wages and benefits similar to those without disabilities performing the same work, and fully integrated with co-workers without disabilities. The Act requires that states ensure employment is offered as a priority outcome for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In furthering the state and federal laws, programs that provide sheltered workshops are being phased out and moving to competitive integrated employment, eliminating sub-minimum wage jobs. The Orange RPU boards coordinate workforce development services with local partnership agreement partners and other local partners who serve individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The RPU board staff participate in the Orange County Local Partnership Agreement meetings that include the education providers, Regional Center of Orange County, Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) regions one and three, and other community-based organizations. The partnership has created new employment and training opportunities that align with WIOA and CIE Blueprint initiatives. The latest employment and training programs include Addressing Barriers to Employment (ABE) for adults and the STEPS to Employment (STEPS) programs for youth. Orange County Workforce Development Board and Goodwill Industries of Orange County are the lead program partners. The program gives Orange County region IDD students and adults facing challenges more opportunities to achieve their greatest levels of personal and economic independence. Program participants are provided opportunities to participate in soft skills training, vocational preparation and social adjustment training (VPSA), work experience, and permanent placement into competitive integrated employment. This program partnership is an excellent example of partners working together and braiding funds to improve targeted populations’ outcomes. The local boards and DOR also work together to engage employers in business engagement activities such as chamber events, diversity job fairs, and other network business events. Another initiative is training and development on resources for helping persons with disabilities better understand their role in searching, obtaining, and retaining competitive, gainful employment. This course is taught to front-line staff at the local One-Stop Centers and partner organizations that are a part of the Orange County Leadership Council. To strengthen the partnership and improve outcomes for the target population, the boards, DOR, core partners, and community-based organizations are committed to the following: • DOR will expand student services to the One-Stop Centers for eligible youth program participants. • DOR will provide local board front-line staff with cross-training and professional development to ensure they understand DOR’s vast offerings. EXHIBIT 1A