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"Employment Grants" is currently closed and not accepting applications.
Employment Grants is sponsored by California Department of Developmental Services. This grant program aims to improve access to services that increase pathways to employment for individuals with developmental disabilities. It supports projects that increase access to career pathways programs and help those with significant barriers to employment enter the workforce in skilled occupations.
Small businesses involved in providing employment services, job coaching, or vocational training for individuals with disabilities could be eligible.
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Employment Grants : CA Department of Developmental Services In 2021, DDS received $10 million in funding to establish a grant program to improve access to services that increase pathways to employment. Please see below for more information on the grant structure, funding information and the grant guidelines. Grant Guidelines for Applicants Refer to Attachment A for step-by-step grant application instructions.
The Department has a standardized set of measures unique to the project type that must be used for all awardees. Standardized measures will be added to your grant profile in post-award. Refer to Attachment C to review standardized measures.
2022 Employment Grant Guidelines for Applicants ATTACHMENT A – GrantVantage Applicant Instructions ATTACHMENT B – Regional Center Employment Grants Contact List ATTACHMENT C – Standard Project Measures ATTACHMENT D – Budget Details and Restrictions ATTACHMENT E – Employment Grants Definition of Terms ATTACHMENT F – Map of Regional Centers ATTACHMENT G – Budget Instructions ATTACHMENT H – Instructions for Project Objectives, Activities and Measures Transcript – DDS Applicant Video 2022 Employment Grant Frequently Asked Questions (revised August 22, 2022) PPT Presentation from 7/7/22 Bidder’s Conference (22 pgs) Zoom Recording of the 7/7/22 Bidder’s Conference (1 hour and 23 minutes) Budget Details and Restrictions Approved Employment Grant Projects 2022 DDS Employment Grant Awardees 2022 DDS Employment Grant Awardees AbilityFirst Supported Employment Program Employment and Entrepreneurship Trainings for Youth with I/DD in Long Beach Autism Society Inland Empire Increasing Employment Through Remote Work Avenues Supported Living Services DDS NLACRC EMPLOYMENT 2022 Bakersfield ARC’s development of business focused collaborations to increase workforce preparation and employment opportunities.
Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University Training Service Providers to Improve Employment Outcomes of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities California State University Long Beach Research Foundation CSU Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Pilot Programs Orange County Business Partner Intermediary Project Customized employment service for neurodiverse digital artists in remote work environments Community Initiatives for Collective Impact – Hlub Hmong Center Food Recovery Business Action Planning for Competitive Integrated Employment What Works For Us: Research and Training on Leveraging the Self-Determination Program to Increase CIE Eastern Los Angeles Regional Ctr ELARC’s re-purposed LPA Transformation Model: Career & Micro-enterprise incubator pathways Futures Explored – Cities Employment Pathways to Employment in Semi-Rural and Rural Communities What Comes Next – Educating Students, Teachers and Families on the Value of Work Bridging the Employment Gaps Integrated Community Services Disability Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer Training Integrated Resources Institute ACRE Training and Mentorship Jay Nolan Community Services Jay Nolan Competitive Employment Initiative Momentum 4 Lunch Culinary Arts & Hospitality Career Pathway Program Benefits Planning for Paid Internship Program (PIP) Participants Workforce Development Riverside Orange County Asperger’s Support Group Autism IN Entertainment Conference PathPoint’s Customized Employment & Employer Resources Pilot Project Peak Performance Training Centers, Inc. ACTT (Advanced Cognitive Training Tools) PRRC Transition Employment Project Progressive Employment Concepts Creating a cadre of skilled Customized Employment mentors and professionals in California to increase quality employment outcomes Bridging the Education and Employment Gaps within the Intellectual/Developmental Disability Community.
Redwood Coast Regional Center Customized Employment Mentoring Self-Determined Futures L. L. C.
Pursuit To A More Inclusive Workforce Learning Independence for Future Employment (LIFE) Project South Central Los Angeles Regional Center SCLARC Legacy Employment Assistance Program YELEP – Youth Employment Leadership and Empowerment Program St.
Madeleine Sophie’s Center Life Skills for Vocational Success project ACRE Train the Trainer Program The Arc of San Diego’s Inclusion at Work Project Customized Employment, Principles to Practice Imagine the Possibilities, Family Engagement Training & Parent Workshop Promoting Competitive Integrated Employment for Young Adults with Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Innovative Peer Navigator Employment Pathway for Health Care Services Pathways to Competitive Integrated Employment in Advanced Manufacturing and Web Development for Individuals with IDD receiving Lanterman Act services Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education, Inc. Summer Meltdown Festival Project Zavikon Supported Placement Please send questions, comments and feedback to: EmploymentGrant@dds.
ca. gov Last modified: June 16, 2025 Sacramento, CA 94244-2020 Early Start BabyLine Referrals Info: 800-515-BABY (800-515-2229) Email: earlystart@dds. ca.
gov
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Not explicitly stated for small businesses, but likely open to organizations providing employment services and training for individuals with developmental disabilities. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The published deadline was June 16, 2025, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Employment Grants is funded by California Department of Developmental Services. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
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