Persons with developmental disabilities: employment.

Existing law, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, grants persons with developmental disabilities the right to receive services and supports to meet their needs. Existing law requires that the State Department of Developmental Services contract with private nonprofit corporations for the operation of regional centers to obtain services and supports for an individual with a developmental disability in accordance with his or her individual program plan (IPP) . Existing law establishes an independent State Council on Developmental Disabilities to, among other things, develop and implement the state plan required by the federal government. This bill would encourage the individual program planning team to discuss school-to-work opportunities for consumers commencing at 14 years of age. This bill would require the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to form a standing Employment First Committee, as specified, to implement an Employment First Policy by July 1, 2011, and annually thereafter, report to the Legislature and the Governor describing the committee's work and recommendations.