Paid Internship Program (PIP)
The Paid Internship Program (PIP) is a program for adults (typically age 18 and older) served by regional centers — such as RCEB — who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Under PIP, a regional center helps arrange a genuine internship job (at least minimum wage) for the participant. The idea is for the individual to build work-related skills, gain job experience, and develop good work habits — essentially to increase their chance of future paid employment.
The program is not meant to be a permanent employment solution; rather it’s a transitional / skill-building support aimed at helping people with disabilities move toward competitive employment
How It’s Funded / What “Funded by RCEB” Means
The wages for the internship under PIP are paid “through regional center purchase-of-service funding” — meaning RCEB (or the applicable regional center) pays for the internship.
The participant’s services (case coordination, job coaching, support) are arranged via their Individual Program Plan (IPP). The IPP outlines what services a person needs and which will be funded. PIP appears on RCEB’s list of “services provided (purchased) from community programs/clinicians” for adults
Paid Internship Program Goals
Are of working age (18 +) and eligible to work
Are interested in working — whether full- or part-time — and want to build skills, gather real work experience, or work toward long-term employment.
Can get to work (have transportation or travel ability). Some service providers supporting PIP may assess whether the potential intern can travel independently.
Gain real work experience, building a résumé or work history — helpful for future job applications.
Potentially transition into competitive employment — either with the internship employer or elsewhere, once the internship ends.
How It Works — Process & What to Expect
Eligible clients have an Individual Program Plan (IPP), developed with case management at RCEB. The IPP outlines services and supports depending on one’s needs and goals. If employment is a goal under the IPP, PIP may be one of the supports funded.
A “vendor” or community-based service provider works with the individual: helps find a suitable internship with an employer, provides job coaching/training, helps with orientation or ongoing support as needed.
The internship must be a real job — paying at least minimum wage or more.
Length and hours can vary: there’s no fixed minimum or maximum hours requirement for PIP internships, though funding limits may apply.
What PIP Is Not
PIP is not guaranteed permanent employment. It is intended as a training / transitional internship that helps build skills and job experience
It is not like general welfare or long-term funding for housing or living — it is strictly about job/internship support and employment inclusion.
