Breaking Barriers in Employment for Adults with Autism California Pilot Program 2018-2019 State Budget

Autism Speaks + MERISTEM Academy MERISTEM - three-year day and residential program uses a contemporary apprenticeship model to develop contextualized, transferable skills to transition young adults into work life. A central aspect of the MERISTEM method involves preparing students for life after graduation. Throughout the three-year program, students build skills to enter the workplace or higher education.

Preparing young Adult is only Half of the Equation - How do we Educate Employers? Many employers are unfamiliar with the specific characteristics associated with ASD and thus are unaware of specific employment techniques and strategies that can be instituted with employees to help maximize productivity and increase opportunities for sustained employment. It is imperative that the state engage young adults with autism in outreach and education efforts so that they can directly help dispel myths, reduce stigma, educate employers, and break barriers to long- term employment.

Breaking Barriers Pilot – AB 2840 (Rubio) Creates a three year pilot program in the counties of Sacramento and Los Angeles for the purpose of increasing long-term employment opportunities for young adults with autism.   Provides that the pilot program be administered by the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) and accomplish specified goals. Requires the CWDB to submit a report the Legislature on or before December 31, 2022, regarding information on the success of the program in accomplishing specified goals.

Workforce Development Board Program Requirements The board shall administer the pilot program as follows: (a) Work with an experienced nonprofit organization on the outreach, selection, training, and compensation of young adults with autism to participate in the program. (b) In collaboration with stakeholders, create a manual to train employers in building workplace capacity for the targeted population. Young adults selected pursuant to subdivision (a) shall participate in the stakeholder meetings and provide input on the content of the employer manual. (c) Once the manual is developed pursuant to subdivision (b), implement free employer trainings in Sacramento and Los Angeles counties based on the manual. The trainings shall include participation and personal testimony from young adults selected and trained pursuant to subdivision (a).

Plan B – Budget Bill AB 2840 (Rubio) – Held in Appropriations $1.5 million included in Budget to fund the Breaking Barriers Pilot Contents of AB 2840 amended into SB 866, a budget “trailer bill”.

Implementation . . . . Slow Start CWDA – Engaging the Sacramento Economic Development Agency (SEDA) for implementation. SEDA will coordinate outreach to Stakeholders. SEDA, with the help of stakeholders, will develop the employment manual and training program to be used in Sacramento and Los Angeles.

Pilot End Date – Jan. 1, 2022 By December 31, 2021, the board shall submit a report to the Legislature, including the following information: (a) The overall success of the pilot program. (b) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program for the targeted population. (c) A recommendation on the long-term viability of workforce success for the targeted population.