Sierra College and Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) announce the receipt of a grant in the amount of $328,640, from the California Department of Developmental Services to begin implementation of the Learning Independence for Future Employment (LIFE) Project. The LIFE Project is a Service Model Transformation Project to develop a new and expanded role for the California Community Colleges (CCCs) in the preparation; placement and the implementation of innovative strategies and practices to increase Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The LIFE Project will initially be based on individuals served by the Alta California Regional Center who reside in either Placer, Nevada or Sacramento County but will provide findings and recommendations that can be scaled, replicated, and sustained throughout the State. Sierra College will serve as the hub that convenes a multidisciplinary group of consumers, stakeholders & subject matter experts to evaluate and analyze present employment-related services.

The project shall provide recommendations and provide a plan for organizational transformation to ensure that vocational trainings such as Workability services, Paid Internships Programs and other programs (i.e. College2Careers) are linked to real opportunities for CIE. The project will focus on modifications that improve the coordination of services and integration of supports for CIE and include findings by which the statewide CCCs system can be effective in improving the infrastructure and programs that lead to successful CIE. The LIFE Project also supports Sierra College’s LIFE Program. This new program will help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities integrate into the mainstream economy and maintain an independent lifestyle. Those enrolled in this program will receive instruction, training and support on the Sierra College Rocklin campus.

For more information about the LIFE Project, please contact:

Angel Garcia, Program Manager, LIFE Program

Sierra College

agarcia141@sierracollege.edu

(916) 660-7804

John Decker, Director of Community Services and Supports

Alta California Regional Center

jdecker@altaregional.org

(916) 978-6489

Carly Shearer, Client Employment Specialist

Alta California Regional Center

cshearer@altaregional.org

(916) 290-4183

If you have any newsletter topic requests or feedback, email us at info@lifeprojectinfo.org

The LIFE Project newsletter is intended for a diverse group of stakeholders - ACRC consumers and their parents/guardians, educators, advocates and service providers. We will share community resources, reports, project updates, and surveys to solicit your input.

Forthcoming newsletters will each focus on topics such as workability, employers committed to hiring individuals with disabilities, and competitive integrated employment (CIE).

Please share these newsletters with anyone whom you think may benefit from the information.

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2023 Community Conference on Neurodiversity Employment

September 21, 2023

9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Hybrid; online & in person at Stanford Redwood City Conference Center

Organizer: Stanford Neurodiversity Project

Free

This conference brings innovative solutions for improving employment outcomes for neurodiverse people / people with IDD.

Link to registration.

Support Strategies Training

September 28, 2023

2:30 - 4:30 pm

Presented via Zoom.

Organizer: Communication Technology Education Center

Free

Support Strategies is a training for family members, support staff, educators, and therapists on the many important aspects needed to help an individual use a communication system throughout the day, across all environments, at home, school, work and in the community.

Link to registration.

Inclusion Works: An Interactive Panel Discussion

October 5, 2023

9:00 - 11:00 am

In-person at Franklin Templeton, Rancho Cordova.

Organizer: Northern California Business Advisory Council

Free

Interested in reducing the time to hire while increasing the quality and diversity of your workforce? Learn from the innovative inclusive hiring strategies of Franklin Templeton, Raley's, and Essendant that can benefit your company's bottom line.

This event is supported by the LIFE Project.

Link to registration.

If you have any newsletter topic requests or feedback, email us at info@lifeprojectinfo.org