Special Education: Transition Services
Transition is change. Transition is the movement from the support and structure of school to the opportunities and risks of adult life. Transition is the bridge from school to a quality adult life which includes community integration, social relationships, recreation, and employment.

 

It is important to know what resources are available so that services and information necessary to make constructive choices about the future can be more easily acquired.

Who's Who in Transition Services

Lauren McLeod Transition Specialist (650) 369-1411 x2204  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Janest Osinski

Transition Specialist

(650) 369-1411 x2589
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Adriana Garcia
Placement Specialist
(650) 369-1411 x2362
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Patricia CastilloPlacement Specialist(650) 369-1411 x2370
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Information   Contacts   Resources   Links

WorkAbility I is a California school and community transition program working to benefit students, employers, and the community at large, which successfully meets the needs of local job markets.

WorkAbility I promotes independent living and provides comprehensive pre-employment worksite training, employment and follow-up services for youth in special education who are making the transition from school to work, post-secondary education or training.

WorkAbility I provides secondary special education students the opportunity to obtain marketable skills while
completing their education.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How Does the Program Benefit the Employer?
A. Participating Employers Receive the Following benefits:
  • Screened, job-ready workers
  • Workers whose skills and interests are assessed
    and matched to employer needs
  • Training wages
  • On-going support services to student and employer


Q. What Requirements Must the Employer Meet?

  • Provide a job description and identify essential functions
  • Designate an employee in the work area as a contact person
  • Provide a challenging employment opportunity


Q. What Related Services Does WorkAbility I Provide?
A. WorkAbility I provides the following related services, as appropriate:

  • Evaluation of student interests and abilities
  • Vocational training
  • Placement assistance and follow-up
  • Training in order to upgrade skills
  • Work site monitoring and supervision

Q. How Does a Student Get Referred to WorkAbility I Services?
A. Contact the Student's Special Education Teacher
 
WorkAbility I Program would like to thank the following employers for their participation in our program:
  • Albertson's
  • Blockbuster
  • Kaiser Hospital
  • Kinko's
  • Max's Cafe
  • Daniel Mendoza, D.D.S.
  • Mervyn's
  • Office Depot
  • Old Navy
  • OICW
  • Peninsula Beauty
  • Petco
  • Pet Food Express
  • Pottery Barn
  • Redwood City Child Development Center
  • Red Morton Community Center
  • Rite Aid
  • Ross
  • San Mateo County Parks and Recreation
  • Sequoia Children's Center
  • Sequoia Hospital
  • Social Security Administration
  • Speedway
  • Teddy Bear Stuffers
  • Veterans Memorial Senior Center
  • Williams-Sonoma
Transition Agencies Contact List
Employment Name Phone
Canada College Workability III Jess Miller 650-306-3157
Career Closet Dolores Gould 650-579-1368
Carpenters Apprenticeship Mario Merjil 925-462-9644
Community Gatepath Laura Deaton 650-259-8500
Department of Rehabilitation-Central and South Phil Alleyne Sarago 650-358-4180
Department of Rehabilitation-North Dianna Galivez 650-737-2606
Electricians Apprenticeship Scott Turner 650-347-8177
Hazardous Materials Apprenticeship Jim O'Donnell 650-508-9008
I Am Cares Jim Grier 415-406-1155
Jobs Plus/Caminar Michael Schocket 650-558-4395
Kainos Kristen Uthman 650-3611-355
Lithographers Apprenticeship Michael Carling 415-543-9211
OICW Steve Baiter 650-330-6453
Painters Apprenticeship Paul Nahm 510-724-3200
Peninsula Works One Stop Center-Central Rosemary McReynolds 650-802-5070
Peninsula Works One Stop Center-North Ruby Thomas 650-301-8440x8492
Peninsula Works One Stop Center-South Marisa Escobar Moreno 650-367-0190
Plumbers/Pipefitters Apprenticeship Rick Garbin 650-692-0442
Project Hired Sheila Sanchez 408-557-0880
Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Kevin Lindsay 650-652-9672
Sprinkler Fitter Apprenticeship Linda Loeffler 510-782-9483
The ARC Terry Goodwin 415-255-7200
VRS   Vocational Rehabilitation Services
www.smchsa.org/efa/vrs.html
Office Locations:
www.smchsa.org/contactus.html
Contact List:
www.smchsa.org/contactlist.html 		Kristen Kornuelle 650-802-6478
Training Name Phone
California Conservation Corps Gayle Brignoli 510-237-0641
Goodwill Industries Adrian Wright 650-525-2780x218
Job Corps San Jose Gina Grengo 408-254-5627
Job Corps Treasure Island Megan McTenin 415-277-2400
RCH Inc. Supported Employment Services T.B.A. 415-665-4100
Regional Occupation Program Intake Counselor 650-802-5400
Tool Works Steve Crabiel 415-621-8665
Volunteer Center Jonathan Torrente 650-235-3555
Post Secondary Education Name Phone
Canada College, Disabled Students Programs and Services Regina Blok 650-306-3259
College of San Mateo, Learning Disability Center Laura Skaff
Maria Paparelli		 650-574-6433
College of San Mateo, Apprenticeship Kevin Phillips 650-574-6116
De Anza College, Educational Diagnostic Center Pauline Waathiq 408-864-8475
Foothill College, Disability Resource Center Margo Dobbins 650-949-7038
Foothill College, Transition to Work Program Mary Hawkins 650-949-7242
Foothill College, STEP Diane Lydgate 650-949-7377
Jefferson Union High School Adult Education Dr. Allen Sinor 650-755-8600x7874
San Francisco City College Kathy Kerr-Schocket 415-452-5481
San Mateo Adult School Gloria Duber 650-558-2100
Sequoia Adult School Sharon Swendell 650-306-8866
Skyline College Linda VanSciver 650-355-7000
South San Francisco Adult Education Bruce Grantham 650-877-8844x8001
Taft College
Transition to Independent Living Program		 Jeff Ross 661-763-7776
Recreation and Leisure Name Phone
Burlingame Recreation Randy Schwartz 650-558-7300
Millbrae Recreation Karla McElroy 650-259-2367
Redwood City Parks and Recreation Corinne Centeno 650-780-7250
San Carlos Parks and Recreation Barry Weiss 650-802-4286
San Mateo Recreation Paul Council 650-522-7400
South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Sharon Reynolds 650-829-3800
Daly City Parks and Recreation Ed Barney 650-991-8001
Support and Advocacy Name Phone
Center for Independence of the Disabled Lesa O'Mara 650-595-0783
Commission on Disabilities Craig McCollough 650-573-2580
Golden Gate Regional Center Rick Chavez 650-574-9232
Health Plan of San Mateo Carmen Babasa 650-616-0050x3123
Light House for the Blind Pam Borelli 650-573-3900x3512
Linkages- Information and Referral Tony Fletcher 415-431-1481-x219
Mental Health Association of San Mateo County Evelyn Stanton 650-368-3345
Muscular Dystrophy Association Jordan Montanino 415-673-7500
PARCA  Serving People with Developmental Disabilities and their Families Sue Digre 650-312-0730x111
Peninsula Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Sharon Hudson
Brenda Rupel		 650-858-0202x11
650-858-0202x15
Redi Wheels Elly Colwell 650-508-6241
Sam Trans/Cal Trains Matt Sieger 650-508-6202
Sensory Access Social Security Counselor 800-772-1213
Social Security Administration Social Security Counselor 800-772-1213
United Cerebral Palsy Santa Clara/San Mateo Co. Patricia Serra 650-917-6902