Supervisors back county study and pilot to expand neurodiverse hiring and career pathways

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion to study the feasibility of pilot programs and policy changes aimed at improving hiring and career pathways for people with developmental and cognitive differences.

Supervisor Janice Hahn authored the motion, coauthored by Supervisor Holly Mitchell, asking county departments to explore a pilot that matches neurodiverse jobseekers — including people on the autism spectrum, people with ADHD, or other developmental differences — with jobs aligned to skills and competencies, and to recommend hiring and accommodation practices that reduce barriers.

Hahn and Mitchell emphasized that neurodiversity describes natural variations in thinking and learning, and that the county should be a model employer. The motion asks the Chief Executive Office and county personnel departments to consult community experts and trusted local organizations — several of which testified in favor — and to address Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit interactions that can discourage people from pursuing work.

Public commenters included representatives of organizations that already run neurodiversity employment programs. They urged cultural‑competency training, employer accommodations, and wraparound supports such as transportation, benefits counseling and supported employment strategies.

The board voted 5–0 to approve the planning motion. County staff must report back with recommendations on pilot design, needed policy changes, and steps to align county hiring processes and workplace accommodations with neurodiversity‑inclusive practices.

Supervisors said the goal is to increase employment opportunities and reduce long‑standing disparities in workforce participation among people with disabilities by designing jobs and supports that match candidates’ strengths and reduce administrative barriers to hiring and retention.