California

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CaliforniasDisability Program Navigator

• "America Works Best When
• All Americans Work"

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WORKABILITY I

• A California Transition Program

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WORKABILITY I MISSION

• To enable all individuals with disabilities to
  successfully participate in a program that will
  prepare them for the workplace and independent
  living

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BACKGROUND

• 1981 study by Californias Department of
  Education results indicated students with
  disabilities not adequately prepared/job ready
• Workability I pilot project begins in 1981
  Intent is to test concept of work experience for
  youth with disabilities

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BACKGROUND

• A non-financial Interagency Agreement was signed
  by
• Employment Development Department
• California Department of Rehabilitation
• California Department of Education
• Workability I continues to successfully conduct
  interagency coordination of services, which
  began in September 1982
• 1999 Task Force Of Workability Practitioners
  Convened Intent is to align Workability w/ State
  and Federal Transition Initiatives For Youth With
  Disabilities

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BACKGROUND

• Designation as one of the ten best transition
  programs in the United States
• National recognition for matching young adults
  with disabilities and employers
• 305 Local education agency Workability I program
  sites are funded statewide
• All 58 California counties are served by
  Workability I programs

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THE PROGRAM

• Workability I Provides
• Comprehensive Pre-Employment Training
• Employment Placement and follow up services for
  High School students in special education
• Training program for Special Education students
  ages 16-22
• Promotes career awareness and exploration while
  students complete their secondary education
  program

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GOALS OF WORKABILITY 1

• Increase percentage of students with disabilities
  employed (with and without subsidies)
• Increase percentage of students with disabilities
  enrolled in post-secondary education
• Increase the percentage of students with
  disabilities who report satisfaction with their
  independent living status and community
  involvement

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WHY WORKABILITY I WORKS

• The local program sites successfully coordinate
  state and local service providers to offer
  tailored comprehensive services
• Program services are appropriate to individual
  students needs
• Referrals to post-secondary education/training,
  One-Stops, employers, service providers, etc.

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WHY WORKABILITY I WORKS (contd)

• Program services are appropriate to individual
  students needs
• Referrals to post-secondary education/training,
  One-Stops, employers, service providers, etc.
• One-year follow-up and two year follow-along
  supportive services provided

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OTHER PARTNERS

• Employers
• Work Experience Education
• Dept of Rehabilitation
• Chambers of Commerce
• Regional Occupational Programs
• One-Stop Career Centers
• Labor Unions

• Dept of Health Services
• Business Advisory Groups
• Transition Partnerships Program
• Dept of Social Services

Annually, over 10,000 employers statewide have
found WIA students to be well prepared for
employment, reliable employees and assets to
their businesses
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PROGRAM BENEFITS

• Business/Employer Benefits
• Screened students ready to learn and work
• Workers interests/skills matched to employers
  needs
• Ongoing employee support services

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REGIONAL EFFORTS

• Marin County
• Napa County
• Solano County
• Sonoma County

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RESOURCE CONTACT LIST

• Carole McLain Regional Disability Navigator
• P [phone] E cmclainW_at_co.napa.ca.us
• Robert Snowden Director, Workability I and
  Transition Services California Department of
  Education
• P [phone] E bsnowden_at_cde.ca.gov
• Jeff Riel Manager, Collaborative Program
  Services, California Department of Rehabilitation
• P [phone] E jriel_at_dor.ca.us
• Rebecca Scott Coordinator, Diagnostic Learning
  Center, Napa Valley College (Fast Track To Work)
• P [phone] E rscott_at_napavalley.edu