WAI State Advisory Meeting October 8–9, 2026

WorkAbility I (WAI) State Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda.

To obtain information to access the WAI Advisory Committee Meeting virtually, please contact the WAI inbox at WorkAbility1@cde.ca.gov.

WAI State Advisory Committee Members

Ray Bueche, Chair
Linda Osborn, Chair Alternate
Adria Brownell, Secretary

Lisa Garcia
Christina Bianchi
Melissa Mills
Lisa Fettig
Annette Rodarte
Jorge Aleman
Julie Romero
Ginny Martineau
Bridget Denton
Priscilla Arballo
Kymberly Hirst
Heather DeRosa
Lawanna Stewart-Barnes
Sherry Travis
Dane Cangro
Jamie Fitch
Lynn Bakke

Guidelines for Public Input Sessions

The WAI Advisory welcomes public involvement. Opportunities for public comment are provided at every meeting.

Reasonable Accommodation for Any Individual With a Disability

Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting or function of the WAI Advisory Committee (WAI Advisory) may request assistance by contacting the California Department of Education (CDE) Special Education Division (SED), 1430 N Street, Suite 2401, Sacramento, CA 95814; telephone: 916-445-4602.

Agenda Items

Agenda times are approximate and are provided for convenience only.

Items may be re-ordered or heard on any day of the noticed meeting or on a subsequent agenda. The order of business may be changed without notice.

Day 1 — Thursday, October 8, 2026, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time ±

California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California 95814
916-445-4602

Time	Item
9 to 9:15 a.m.	Item 1–Call to Order: Welcome and Introductions; Mission and Vision; Approval of Minutes.
9:15 to 10:15 a.m.	Item 2–Presentation: A representative of the CDE will present on resources and supports provided through the Family Empowerment Centers (FEC).
10:15 to 10:25 a.m.	Break
10:25 to 11:25 a.m.	Item 3–Workability Works for All Action Plan: Introduction and discussion of the Action Plan format for the 2026–27 WAI Advisory Committee Plan. Advisory will also set themes for the next three Advisory Meetings.
11:25 to 12:25 p.m.	Item 4–Committee development and Executive Committee election: Advisory will vote for the open Executive Committee. Advisory will discuss creating work teams to support the Workability Works for All Action Plan.
12:25 to 12:30 p.m.	Item 5–Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. Issues raised by the public may be referred to a future meeting agenda. Chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations.
12:30 to 2 p.m.	Lunch: Lunch is not provided; lunch on your own.
2 to 3 p.m.	Item 6–California Department of Education Update: CDE staff will discuss recent developments within the SED, as well as updates to key areas related to the WAI grant.
3 to 3:20 p.m.	Item 7–Bylaws, Fiscal Handbook, Program Handbook: CDE will report to Advisory on the status of the three documents.
3:20 to 3:40 p.m.	Item 8–Advisory Commission on Special Education Impact Award Application: WAI Advisory will discuss the application process, to promote the grant program and highlight its efforts over the years.
3:40 to 3:55 p.m.	Item 9–WAI Emerging Topics: The WAI Advisory Committee will discuss issues affecting the state, which will include: the 10 Percent Rule, expansion of the 5000 object codes, and California Education Code requirements pertaining to the WAI grant.
3:55 to 4 p.m.	Item 10–Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. Issues raised by the public may be referred to a future meeting agenda. The Chair reserves the right to set time limits for presentations.
4 p.m.	Recess until 8:30 a.m., Friday, October 9, 2026.

Day 2 — Friday, October 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific Time ±

California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California 95814
916-445-4602

Time	Item
8:30 to 8:45 a.m.	Item 1–Call to Order: Welcome and Introductions; Mission and Vision.
8:45 to 9:45 a.m.	Item 2–Committee and Regional Updates: Region co-managers and committee chairs share news, updates, and status on WAI action plans.
9:45 to 9:50 a.m.	Item 3–Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. Issues raised by the public may be referred to a future meeting agenda. Chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations.
9:50 to 10 a.m.	Break
10 to 10:25 a.m.	Item 4–WorkAbility1 Works for All: Program highlights from practitioners across the state. This month, we will be highlighting projects in the state. Jamie Fitch and Erin Perez from Murrieta Valley Unified School District will share best practices on Summit Shirt Company and the steps that have created amazing opportunities for the students to thrive and create revenue streams to support WAI.
10:25 to 11:25 a.m.	Item 5–The California Career Resource Network (CalCRN) and California Career Zone: A representative from the CDE’s CalCRN will provide information regarding the retirement of the California Career Zone as well as a new website offered for free career assessments.
11:25 to 11:30 a.m.	Item 6–Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. Issues raised by the public may be referred to a future meeting agenda. Chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations.
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.	Lunch: Lunch is not provided; lunch on your own.
1 to 1:50 p.m.	Item 7–WorkAbility I Advisory Committee Recommendations to the California Department of Education: The WAI Advisory Committee continues to develop a list of recommendations to the CDE.
1:50 to 2 p.m.	Item 8–Public Comment: General public comment is invited on any matter, including items not on the agenda. Issues raised by the public may be referred to a future meeting agenda. The chair reserves the right to establish time limits on presentations.
2 p.m. Pacific Time	Adjournment of October 9, 2026, WAI Advisory Meeting

Questions: WorkAbility I | WorkAbility1@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0878

Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 15, 2026