Policy

Harbor Regional Center believes that employment should be the first priority and preferred option for adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities

and is fiercely committed to expecting, encouraging, providing, creating and rewarding integrated employment in the workforce at minimum or competitive wages and benefits. Accordingly:

• Employment opportunities in fully integrated work settings at or above minimum wage shall be the first and preferred option explored in the service planning for working age adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities irrespective of the severity of their disabilities.  
• Working age adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities who are being supported in segregated work settings and/or in settings where they receive sub-minimum wages will be encouraged to transition to fully integrated work settings where they may be paid at prevailing rates.
• Harbor Regional Center will not recommend segregated work settings or sub-minimum wage work opportunities for youth and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities who are seeking employment.
• Working age adults who choose non-work day activity options will be encouraged to select those options which provide maximum opportunity for volunteering and other activities which take place in integrated settings or to consider a combination of both work and non-work day activities.
• For those who successfully achieve the goal of employment in an integrated setting, future service planning must focus on maintaining employment as well as the consideration of additional career or advancement opportunities. For those not yet achieving employment, annual service planning must include and reflect employment opportunities as the first and priority service option explored.

Approved by the HRC Board of Trustees March 20, 2018