Val Verde High School
Perris, California

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WorkAbility I is a federally funded grant acquired by Val Verde Model Continuation High School in 1996. WorkAbility I is a California Department of Education transition program which provides pre-employment skills training, work site training and follow up services for students (16-21) attending classes and qualified through the special IEP process. These students have physical, visual, and mental disabilities with the potential to learn a variety of job tasks. Given the opportunity to learn at a community based employment training site, students are matched with employers for fifty work hours. If the opportunity allows, employers may choose to hire the student beyond the initial fifty-hour period. Students are paid for their work at minimum wage. In addition, successful completion of the program permits students to earn five general elective credits.

The program started out in 1996 with only 30 students working in paid training

sites in the community. It has grown to 80 students working in paid placements. There are another 30-40 students (including regular education) that are provided with services like pre-employment assessments, job leads, resumes and interviewing. Several students over the 5-year period have been hired permanently in various businesses including Wal Mart, Lowe's, and fast food restaurants. The W AI program coordinator has worked diligently to establish strong business partnerships within and outside the district boundaries. Two advisory meetings and an annual awards-recognition event is held each year to recognize students and businesses for participation /contribution.

Last year the program coordinator was recognized by Staples as "The Teacher of the Year" at Chino Hills, California. He has also helped neighboring school districts establish their own program. The VVW AI continues to grow and is very easy to replicate by application to CDE.