New, Exciting Changes to IRC’s Paid Internship Program

Community EngagementGeneral Announcements, Vendor Announcements

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This content is primarily intended for IRC Service Providers, however members of our community may find the information useful.

 

IRC’s Paid Internship Program (PIP) is a resource that allows for IRC clients ages 18 and older to work an internship in the community, gaining valuable workplace experience all while getting paid. Each organization that employs a client has up to 1,040 hours a year to compensate an intern’s wages and other employer costs. You can learn more about the Paid Internship Program by reading our blog post (IRC Consumers, Try an Internship!), or by visiting the IRC Consumer Employment Page.

As of July 2021, various changes have been made to the Paid Internship Program, allowing the possibility of greater opportunity to our clients. The key changes are highlighted below:

  • The intent of the internship continues to be the acquisition of skills and experience for paid employment and/or for the PIP to lead to full or part time employment in the same job.
  • Internships cannot exceed 1040 hours a year.
  • Must be paid at or above minimum wage.
  • Must be used to pay any employer related costs.
  • PIPs that originated before July 16, 2021 will be subject to the maximum hours of 1040 a year, to include the hours already completed.
  • Vendors who place clients in a PIP on or after July 1, 2021, will be paid $750.00 once the client has completed 30 consecutive days.
  • Vendors who place clients in a PIP on or after July 1, 2021, will be paid an additional $1000.00 once the client has completed 60 consecutive days.

To view the new guidelines in their entirety, links to the original letter and enclosure from the Department of Developmental Services are provided below:

Guidelines for Implementation of Changes to the Paid Internship Program – Effective July 2021  |  Enclosure A


Please visit IRC’s Consumer Employment Page to view up-to-date information on employment resources, as well as upcoming events related to employment.

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Community Engagement

Inland Regional Center's Community Engagement Unit can be reached at [email protected]

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