Glendora USD expands Workability vocational placements; district seeks more local business partners

District staff presented an overview of Workability One—Glendora USD’s program that places students with IEPs into paid, supervised work experiences—and outlined plans to expand placements next school year.

"We support our students in developing vocational skills ... to receive competitive integrated employment," program manager Melissa Killy said. Killy said the program served about 280 students this year and placed 27 students in paid work experiences; the grant funding the placements covers student wages for up to 25 hours at minimum wage.

Program coordinator Beatric Lelli described partnerships with local employers and agencies, including the Department of Rehabilitation and the American Job Center, which can provide follow‑on hours after students exhaust the district‑funded 25 hours. Job developer Monica Jeff said local partners this year included Goodwill, Costco, the Glendora Library, Barnes & Noble and others; she asked the board and the community to introduce additional business partners to increase internship opportunities.

Board members asked about funding levels and timelines. Staff said the district’s grant that supports 27 students is "about $94,000 a year," and the weekend‑work grant—if awarded—would add placements for roughly 35 additional students for up to 100 hours each; staff expected to hear about the weekend‑work grant by late summer.

Trustees commended the program as mutually beneficial and volunteered to help spread the word to downtown businesses and chamber contacts. Staff said they will notify the board when grant awards are finalized and will coordinate outreach to potential partners.