Slide 1: Training Services; Public & Private Institutions
Blind Advisory Committee
May 14, 2026
Presented by: DOR Policy & Performance Section
Slide 2: Intent of the DOR Employment Program
•	Help individuals with disabilities achieve employment goals and live independently.
•	Provide support and resources to assist individuals in entering, staying in, and advancing in the workforce.
•	Develop plans that are tailored to meet the individual’s unique needs and career goals.
•	Encourage long-term success in sustainable, meaningful employment that matches their skills, interests, and goals.
Slide 3: Developing the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
•	Must be designed to achieve a specific employment outcome.
•	An outcome consistent with the individual’s unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.
•	Take into consideration the labor market.
Slide 4: Exercising Informed Choice
•	Employment outcome; the vocational goal
•	Employment setting
•	Specific services needed to achieve the employment outcome.
•	Service providers
•	Methods for procuring services
Slide 5: Scope of Services; Vocational and Other Training Services
•	Advanced training in, not limited to, a field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine, law, or business.
•	Books, tools, and other training materials.
•	Institutions of higher education.
•	Maximum efforts to secure grant assistance from other sources.
Slide 6: Training Services
•	Facilitate the achievement of the vocational goal.
•	Prepare the individual with the skills and abilities necessary to be a competitive candidate for competitive integrated employment.
•	Select based on the needs of the individual, timeliness, availability, and cost of training.
Slide 7: Use of Public or Private Institutions
•	DOR can provide training in a private institution instead of a public institution when:
o	Training needs can be better met by a private institution; or
o	Overall cost to DOR will be less; or
o	Attendance in a public training program would cause a significant delay in preparing for employment.
•	Team Manager has approved a private school for training.
Slide 8: College Level Training; Order of Preference
•	For the first two years, Community college.
•	For the first two years, a state college or university if overall cost is equal or less than community college.
•	After the first two years, a State college or university.
•	Private school when:
o	Essential to the success of the IPE; or
o	Overall cost to DOR will be equal or less than the costs of public school; or
o	Consumer agrees to pay additional costs for private school when determined that a public institution will sufficiently meet the needs of the individual in achieving their vocational goal.	
Slide 9: Out-of-State Training
Out-of-State training may be provided when:
•	Suitable programs are not available within California; or
•	The consumer lives near an adjoining state and the out-of-state facilities are more readily available in the adjoining state; or
•	Undue hardship would be imposed on the individual by participating in training programs in California.
Slide 10: DOR Commitment to Quality (1 of 2)
•	DOR shall ensure that all training programs authorized support the informed choice of eligible individuals, protect their interests, and have the necessary approvals to operate.
•	Private institutions must be accredited by an agency that is recognized by the United Stated Department of Education, and/or meet the requirements of the Bureau of Private and Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and/or the state in which they operate.
Slide 11: DOR Commitment to Quality (2 of 2)
•	BPPE protects students and consumers through the oversight of California’s private institutions by conducting qualitative reviews of educational programs and operating standards, proactively combating unlicensed activity, impartially resolving student and consumer complaints, and conducting outreach.
•	Private institutions must be accredited by an agency that is recognized by the United Stated Department of Education, and/or meet the requirements of the Bureau of Private and Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and/or the state in which they operate.
Slide 12: Quick Terms: Public vs. Private Schools
•	Public schools are operated by government agencies – like adult education programs, community colleges, CSU, or UC.
•	Private schools are operated by private entities – they might be for-profit or non-profit.
•	Some schools are in California.
•	Some schools are out-of-state but offer remote training.
Slide 13: Public Schools
•	Established, operated, and governed by the federal or state government.
•	Not required to obtain BPPE approval to operate, verification of exemption, or out-of-state registration. 
•	Already approved for DOR funding.
Slide 14: Private Schools Located in California
•	Private schools with a physical location in California must meet one of the following conditions:
•	Be accredited by an agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
•	Have obtained BPPE approval to operate or verification of exempt status.
Slide 15: Out-of-State Private Schools Serving California Students Remotely
•	Out-of-state private schools offering remote training to California students must meet one of the following conditions:
•	Be accredited by a recognized entity.
•	Be a non-degree granting school and the total charges for the training program are $2,500 or less.
•	Register with BPPE.
•	Be exempt from obtaining out-of-state registration from BPPE
Slide 16: Out-of-State Private Schools with No California Presence
•	Out-of-State private schools not operating in California must meet one of the following conditions:
•	Be accredited by a recognized agency.
•	Be a non-degree granting school and the total charges for the training program are $2,500 or less.
•	Meet the regulatory requirements of the state from which they operate.
Slide 17: Paying for Services; Comparable Services and Benefits
•	Financial participation requirements do not apply to training, tutoring, books, and other training materials.
•	Comparable Services & Benefits requirements apply for training services, including books, tools, and other training materials.
o	For an institution of higher education (above the California high school level), the consumer must make “maximum effort” to establish eligibility and secure any similar benefits (i.e., apply for financial aid).
o	Grant aid is applied toward educational costs and DOR covers the remaining cost of services.
Slide 18: Resources: Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
•	361.40 Written Policies Governing the Provision of Services
•	361.45 Development of the Individualized Plan for Employment
•	361.48 Scope of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
•	361.52 Informed Choice
Slide 19: Resources: California Code of Regulations (CCR)
•	7006 Comparable Services and Benefits
•	7149 Scope of VR Services
•	7154 Training Services
•	7155 Use of Public or Private Institutions
•	7156 College Level Training
•	7158.8 Out-of-State Training
•	7191 Exemptions from Client Financial Participation
Slide 20: Resources: California Code, Education Code
Title 3 Postsecondary Education, Division 10 Private Postsecondary and Higher Education Institutions, Part 59 Private Postsecondary and Higher Education Institutions, Chapter 8 Private Postsecondary Institutions, Article 6 Approval to Operate, Section 94886 (CA Educ Code 94886 (2024))
Slide 21: Q&A