Paid Internship Program (P.I.P.)

Assurance Family Services is happy to announce we are now providing Paid Internship opportunities to consumers enrolled in our Community-Based Day Program. Our staff/job-coaches are trained to provide quality services for consumers seeking employment opportunities.

What is PIP?

Paid Internship Program is an opportunity for employers to provide vocational training and experience to an individual at no cost. Each position is matched with an individual based on their strengths, interests and goals. Employers may be reimbursed up to $10,400 per year towards the employment of an individual with a developmental disability.

What is the purpose of PIP?

To give employers access to a pool of motivated individuals who bring fresh thinking, innovation and diversity to their workplaces. To give individuals with developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in career exploration while gaining new vocational and social skills.

What are the requirements?

Internship or apprenticeship must be a real position of the community in an integrated setting and not any other special environment. Part- or full-time internship should result in the intern getting hired or developing skills that will lead to future employment.
Total amount reimbursed to employer can be up to $10,400 a year.
Earnings must be a minimum wage and similar to what others are earning doing the same job and have the same opportunities for advancement as others in the same position.

Why enroll into our Paid Internship Program?

Consumers will be paid for the work they do.
Assurance Family Services will take on the responsibility of becoming consumer’s official employer.
Assurance Family Services will provide opportunities to explore different job sites that meet consumers need.
Consumer will have a one-to-one job coach to support them throughout their learning experience from beginning to end.

Internship/Volunteer Sites available

* Walgreens *Vons *Best Buy*

*Smart & Final *Food Banks

*Numerous Food Pantries

*Hope of the Valley Thrift Stores

*Joann's Fabric Stores

*Senior Citizen Centers

*L.A. Fitness *Wild at Heart Horse Rescue

and more...

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Am I required to hire the intern after the internship is over?

A: No, however if your intern has done a good job and you have an open position, we strongly encourage you to hire them as a permanent employee.

Q: What is the length of the internship?

A: There is no set length of time or number of hours to be completed during the internship. There is only a maximum allowable cost of $10,400 per year, per intern.

Q: Who is responsible for paying the intern?

A: There are options. Either the employer or Assurance Family Services or a Financial Management Service (FMS) provider. If the employer is the payer of record, they will be reimbursed by the supporting vendor.

Q: What costs are associated with hiring a paid intern? What costs are covered?

A: If the employer is paying the intern all costs are reimbursed by Assurance Family Services up to $10,400 per year. Costs covered include wages, payroll costs, insurance and liability. If Assurance Family Services is paying the intern, all costs are covered up to $10,400 per year.

Q: What is the process and what documentation is needed from the employer?

A: The employer must keep accurate records of time sheets, wages and associated expenses. Employers will submit an invoice and be reimbursed by Assurance Family Services or the FMS.

Q: Who is responsible for the supervision of the intern?

A: The employer can provide overall supervision of the intern as you would all other employees. The employer may also choose to have Assurance Family Services provide additional individualized job coaching to them as needed- with a focus on reducing that support over time as the intern gains skills and confidence.

Q: Who can I contact to get started?

A: Assurance Family Services

Stephanie Lydell

323.925.6221

1160 N. Maclay Ave., Suite 201

San Fernando, CA 91340