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WorkAbility1

Program Overview

young woman participating in on-the-job training
The WorkAbility1 (WAI) program provides comprehensive training in work skills, the opportunity for employment placement, job support and post-graduation follow-up for students in special education who are making the transition from school to work, independent living and post-secondary education or training. The WA1 program is funded and administered by a grant through the California Department of Education and offers students with an IEP the opportunity to complete their secondary education while also obtaining marketable job skills for success in the modern labor market. WA1 supports students across the district at Malibu High, Samohi and Olympic High School. WorkAbility1 is not expected to provide all of the vocational service that secondary students should receive, rather to be a support to teachers in “filling in the gaps”.

In accordance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) some of the services we provide are:
  • Cognitive
  • Job Exploration Counseling and Support
  • Coordinate activities with the College and Career Center, for job fairs and college recruitment
  • Coordinate activities with transition services provided by our Transition Program for students 18-22
  • Workplace Readiness Training, to develop social skills and independent living
  • Instruction in self-advocacy
  • Dissemination of information and strategies to improve the transition to postsecondary activities
two young men working

The mission of WAI is to promote the involvement of key stakeholders including students, families, educators, employers and other agencies in planning and implementing an array of services that will culminate in successful student transition to competitive integrated employment (CIE), lifelong learning and quality of life.

The purpose of this collaboration is to foster preparation for and achievement of competitive integrated employment for individuals who may be typically underserved. Employers benefit from valuable employee support as they contribute as upright community citizens. If you are interested in joining our WorkAbility team by supporting a student for employment experience, please email kkeith@smmusd.org.

Eligible students may participate through three modes of service:
  1. Unpaid Training provides work-based learning experiences for specific occupational skills through classroom experiences, lessons and activities.
  2. Unsubsidized Placement provides employment wages paid by the employer.
  3. Subsidized Placement provides wages paid by WorkAbility.

Eligibility Requirements include:

  1. Current IEP
  2. Minimum 2.0 GPA (no "Fs")
  3. 85% attendance and positive behavior Student ID and Social Security number
Please join us in endorsing our students' success!

Contact Info:
Kelly T. Keith
WorkAbility1 Specialist, MA SPED
Special Education Teacher M/M, M/A
kkeith@smmusd.org
310-395-3204 x71186

Office Hours are Virtual only until further notice and can be scheduled through Ms. Keith's Calendar Page at: https://calendly.com/kkeith-/workability1