PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (PIP)

Employer as Employer of Record

What
The Paid Internship Program is paid employment that includes a specific learning objective(s), with the goal of acquiring knowledge, skills, or increasing the participants’ understanding of a specific industry through the on-the-job experience. Although the goal is future employment in the same job, a PIP internship has no guarantee of an on-going employment relationship.

Who

• Participants who choose to participate in a paid internship as documented in their IPP

• Employers who hire an intern and provide a robust and inclusive learning and skill acquisition experience for the Intern, and receive reimbursement for wages and employer costs

• Community Interface Services (CIS) as the Service Provider (job coaching) and the FMS (reimbursing employer for wages and associated employer costs)   

How (Internship Parameters)

• The participant is referred to a SDRC funded Employment Service (Supported Employment, Tailored Day, etc.) by their Service Coordinator

• Initial direct service focuses on employment interest exploration, experience/skill assessment, resume development, and assisting the participant in searching for and securing a paid internship.

• Internships may be set up with any type of employer operating in compliance with state and federal laws, including apprenticeships.

• PIP funding may not exceed 1,040 hours per 12–month period, per intern. Wages, work hours, benefits, job duties, etc., are agreed upon between the employer and the intern in compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, including mandated benefits.

• The internship employer hires the participant directly and is the Employer of Record (EOR). CIS as the FMS bill payer reimburses the employer for wages and applicable costs.

• Ongoing on/off the job coaching support is determined by the intern, planning team, and paid internship employer based on the participant’s needs and employer preferences.

• The employer pays the intern and submits for reimbursement to the FMS monthly

• CIS serves as bill payer only to bill the Regional Center and reimburse the employer for wages and employment related costs for the PIP and does not serve as EOR.

Why Employer as Employer of Record?

• The employer is more likely to have a vested interest in supporting the intern to succeed. The intern is more likely to be more included in the workplace and the employer’s activities.

• The intern will get a more realistic experience of what working for an organization is like.

• The employer is directly responsible for ensuring labor laws are followed.

• The intern establishes or enhances their employment history, and a record of their relevant employment is established that will improve their future employment prospects.

Are you interested in a PIP?

Talk to your Service Coordinator at San Diego Regional Center. They may want to hold a Planning Team Meeting to talk about your interest in the Paid Internship Program. For more information regarding the PIP, contact McKenzie Reynolds – MReynolds@communityinterfaceservices.org

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