California § 4699.3 - The department shall establish, and regional centers shall administer, an entry-l

§ 4699.3. The department shall establish, and regional centers shall administer, an entry-l

(a) The department shall establish, and regional centers shall administer, an entry-level training and internship program for individuals interested in becoming direct support professionals, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to enhance the quality of services received by consumers and increase the hiring and retention of direct support professionals through the creation of a training and internship program that demonstrates the career opportunities available to individuals interested in becoming direct support professionals, while providing them with the skills that they need to deliver high-quality services to consumers. (c) The training and internship program shall do all of the following: (1) Contract with outside agencies for recruitment outreach. (2) Offer three-month internships that provide entry-level training and practical work experience for participants. (3) Outline the wage and employments costs for paid internships up to 30 hours per week, to collectively cover participant wages and service provider costs. (4) Focus on populations that reflect the state’s diverse population and that do not traditionally have a pathway toward jobs in the developmental services field. (5) Establish an entry point to the continuum of developmental services workforce development, including the training described in Section 4511.5. (6) Create opportunities for postinternship permanent employment with service providers and allow for a five-hundred-dollar ($500) retention stipend after six months of continuous employment and another five-hundred-dollar ($500) stipend after one year of continuous employment. (d) Regional centers shall track participation and report to the department on a quarterly basis on cumulative and reporting-period data about the number of participants, the number of participants hired, and the number of six-month and one-year employment stipends provided. (e) Internships shall be available no later than June 1, 2023. A program participant may enroll in an internship on a later date.