Four smiling employees posing together inside a candy store near candy displays and shelves full of various treats.

PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

FAQS

People with disabilities can benefit your business and save you money through PIP.
— Lindsay, Business Owner
A young woman with a top bun hairstyle and winged eyeliner standing in front of a fast food counter in a restaurant.
A smiling man wearing glasses, a black t-shirt with a logo, black apron, and blue gloves, holding a mop in a restaurant with colorful striped and signed menu artwork on the wall.

Employment is fundamental to the quality of life for people with disabilities. We breakdown barriers to successful employment by focusing on the ability of the individual, and match them with the best business for success. The Paid Internship Program (PIP) is an extension of Bakersfield ARC's Tailored Day Services Program and is designed to give individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) the opportunity to gain skills necessary to obtain Competitive Integrated Employment in their preferred field. The goal of the PIP program is to help interns successfully transition into Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE).

Through the program, local businesses are encouraged to provide internships to hard-working individuals, allowing them to increase their workplace proficiency in a real-world setting. The internship comes at no financial cost to the employer and can save businesses up to 1,040 hours in payroll expenses per year, per intern. Businesses will discover the rewarding benefits of hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

David’s Story

I’m really grateful for Bakersfield ARC.
They helped me become a better person.
I love my job.
— David, PIP Client
A young man with short dark hair and a trimmed beard, wearing a light patterned shirt, sitting at a wooden table in an indoor setting, smiling slightly at the camera. In the background, there are books and artwork on shelves and walls.

Feras’ Story

I did an awesome job with my internship,
because I got hired. I love my job! My family is proud of me. It makes me feel awesome inside!
— Feras, PIP Client
Young man smiling outdoors wearing a black cap with an American flag patch and a yellow reflective safety vest, standing in front of a brick building.
Two smiling men, one with dark hair and glasses, the other with light hair and glasses, standing in front of a store sign that says 'COUNTRYSIDE'. They are dressed in black shirts and casual pants, posing together with one giving a thumbs-up, inside a retail store.

Meet Jaime L. Valdez, Jr.!

Jaime is the Senior Director of Job Development at Bakersfield ARC.

Jaime works tirelessly to find and establish community connections, fostering relationships with local business owners for our Clients. He will work with you directly when you become a client of Bakersfield ARC.

You can send Jaime an email by clicking the button below or, you could fill out the form to the right!

Direct Line: 661.903.4899

Office Phone: 661.834.2272 ext. 4115

E-mail: Jvaldez@bakersfieldarc.org

Let’s work together!

Interested in working together? Use this form to fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! Please let us know if you are a business interested in hiring our clients or if you are a future client We can't wait to hear from you!