(Sacramento, CA) – Disability Rights California applauds the creation of the Office of Employment First, which will support employment opportunities for Californians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). Disability Rights California worked to advance this proposal alongside the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD), California APSE, Integrated Resources Institute, PathPoint, and Progressive Employment Concepts, Inc. 

"People with IDD tell us that to find work and maintain the supports they need to keep working, they have to go back and forth among different departments, programs, and services, all with different requirements, making their experiences frustrating and highly disjointed,” said DRC Policy Analyst, Sabrina Epstein. 

California adopted an Employment First policy in 2013 to ensure that people with IDD could find competitive, integrated work in their communities. Despite the passing of this policy, employment for people with IDD remains at just 17 percent. The Office of Employment First recommits to the Employment First vision by ensuring that initiatives are designed and coordinated to work across state departments.

Creating this office signals a new focus, not just on employment as a goal for people with disabilities, but on collective responsibility and stronger alignment across state agencies and departments as key to achieving that goal. 

In alignment with its mission, the Office of Employment First will identify and share best practices, develop partnerships with groups committed to integrated community employment opportunities, and provide technical assistance to support equity in employment. 

The Office will also: 

• Establish or enhance tools to evaluate the success of employment programs for people with IDD and monitor progress. 
• Link data collection systems across government entities. 
• Gather the state’s Employment First Committee. 
• Propose necessary legislative, regulatory, and policy changes to achieve the state’s Employment First goals. 
• Submit an annual report to the Legislature and the Governor detailing its work and recommendations beginning June 30, 2025.

“Increasing employment for people with IDD is essential for advancing their economic security, but it's not only about that,” said DRC Senior Policy Attorney, Vivian Haun. “For many, work gives purpose and structure to their lives. It creates networks, fosters social connections and friendships. Work gives people a sense of competence and a valued and visible role to play in their communities.”  

DRC applauds the Legislature’s renewed commitment to making the promise of our state’s Employment First policy a reality.  

Media Contacts:

Vivian Haun
Senior Policy Attorney
Disability Rights California
(213) 213-8049
Vivian.Haun@disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of DRC is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.