SECTIONS 11000-11006

11000.  The Legislature finds that over 1.5 million persons inCalifornia are deaf or suffer from significant hearing impairment.Private and public employment agencies are not routinely adapted tomeet the communication needs of persons who are deaf and hard ofhearing and, therefore, the services they receive may be less thanthose provided to other persons. The Legislature also finds thatemployment opportunities for persons who are deaf and hard of hearingare increased when specialized counseling, interpretive, jobplacement, and followup services supplement conventional employmentservices. In addition, the limited programs which provide thesespecialized employment services to persons who are deaf and hard ofhearing have recently been subject to significant local fundingreductions. Therefore, the Legislature finds that a more stablefunding source, as provided by this chapter, is necessary to ensurethe continuance of these programs.11000.5.  As used in this chapter "contractor" means a public agencyor a private nonprofit corporation.11001.  (a) The department shall contract with public agencies orprivate nonprofit corporations for a period not to exceed one year toprovide employment services for persons who are deaf and hard ofhearing. These employment services shall be provided onsite at thedepartment's offices which are selected pursuant to Section 11004. (b) At the end of each contract year, the department mayrenegotiate the terms of each contract in accordance with allowableincreases or decreases in the contractor's costs and the contractor'sdemonstrated ability to provide the specified services. (c) If a contractor is a private nonprofit corporation, it shallsubmit a complete financial statement audited by a certified publicaccountant prior to a renewal of the contract.11002.  Employment services for persons who are deaf and hard ofhearing shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) Complete communication services for all preparatory, jobplacement, and followup activities. The communication services shallinclude interpreter services by a professional interpreter forpersons who are deaf and hard of hearing possessing the comprehensiveskills certification of the National Registry of Interpreters forthe Deaf or the equivalent, telecommunications, and, when necessary,training in communication skills. (b) Advocacy to assure that persons who are deaf and hard ofhearing receive equal access to public and private employmentservices. (c) Job development and job placement. (d) Employment counseling, including peer counseling by personswho are deaf and hard of hearing. (e) Followup counseling and problemsolving after placement.11003.  (a) The department, with the advice of persons knowledgeableabout providing employment services to persons who are deaf and hardof hearing, shall establish the criteria for choosing contractors. (b) The criteria shall include, but not be limited to, all of thefollowing: (1) The ability to provide services to a person who is deaf orhard of hearing in the person's preferred mode of communication. (2) The ability to secure community support, including writtenendorsements of local officials, employers, the workforce investmentboard of the local workforce investment area and organizations of andfor persons who are deaf and hearing impaired. (3) The existence of funding from one or more public or privatesources. (c) Preference shall be given in the selection of a contractor tothose proposals which demonstrate all of the following: (1) Participation of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing onthe potential contractor's employment services staff, and in the caseof a private nonprofit corporation, on the board of directors. (2) A commitment to the development and maintenance ofself-determination for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.11004.  The department shall do all of the following: (a) Determine the number and location of its offices within thestate providing employment services to individuals who are deaf andhard of hearing and shall decide which offices shall be served bycontractors given the resources available under this chapter. Thedepartment shall give priority to offices where contracts arenecessary in order to prevent or minimize the disruption or thediscontinuance of employment services to individuals who are deaf andhard of hearing which have been provided in conjunction with thedepartment prior to July 1, 1984. (b) Coordinate the provision of employment services forindividuals who are deaf and hard of hearing with the StateDepartment of Social Services and the Department of Rehabilitation sothat employment services provided by this chapter supplement orprovide alternatives to services provided or funded by thedepartments. (c) Establish uniform accounting procedures and contracts for usewith regard to this chapter. (d) Promulgate requests for proposals and conduct bidders'conferences, and evaluate proposals according to the criteriaestablished pursuant to Section 11003. (e) Utilize the definitions of deafness and significant hearingimpairment which have been used or established by regulation by theState Department of Social Services. (f) Conduct a management or fiscal audit of any contract wheneverit is necessary for proper supervision of that contract. (g) Annually consider incorporation of the services described inthis chapter in the job service plan required by Section 8 of thefederal Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. Sec. 49g). (h) Assist contractors in maintaining all of the followinginformation: (1) The number of persons receiving services. (2) A description of the services provided. (3) The cost of the services provided. (4) The number of persons placed in jobs. (5) The number of persons assisted by followup activities. (6) The number and qualifications of staff providing the services.11006.  The Employment Development Department shall not expend over5 percent of the sum appropriated for this chapter for itsadministrative costs.