The Bridge to Success (BTS) program provides an alternative route towards County employment for qualified people with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
Under the Bridge to Success program, people with developmental disabilities can enter the County workforce for select positions without going through the competitive merit process.
Employees hired under BTS are expected to perform comparable to their non-disabled peers.
BTS-qualifying positions are non-Merit System positions within Contra Costa County. These positions are classified as Project positions. The classifications that have been identified for the program are: Institutional Services Worker and Institutional Services Aide in Health Services and Clerk – Beginning Level in the County Library.
Bridge to Success candidates may be eligible to receive assistance with the application process and job coaching from a nonprofit supported employment service provider or the state Department of Rehabilitation. There is no cost to the County for this support.
The California Legislature in 2013 adopted an "Employment First" policy for people with developmental disabilities, which identifies competitive integrated employment or real jobs at real wages in real job sites as a priority of state resources, if this is what the person wants. Bridge to Success reflects this priority.