HCPS FL Logo Workforce Connections
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, August 1, 2017
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve Memorandum of Agreement between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc. and The School Board of Hillsborough County, FL, for the School-To-Work Mentoring Program  (Workforce Connections)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The School-To-Work Mentoring Program will match with the needs of Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) students, with a screened, trained, and approved volunteer for a minimum of two years. High school students are mentored in the workplace to gain valuable employability skills and exposure to career opportunities.  
 
This is a continuation of an existing program at Leto High School, and this Memorandum of Agreement permits additional sites to be added in the future. During year one, the program will be provided to a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 30 high school juniors.  Rising juniors will remain matched in the program and an additional group of high school juniors will be engaged in year two.  Students will be transported to meet with their mentor at the worksite once a month, during the school year.  The student will be asked to work one-to-one with their assigned volunteer mentor during monthly Mentoring Days, on-site at the Mentoring Partner’s location. 

Through this program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, HCPS and the Mentoring Partner will work with the participating students to assist them in graduating high school and developing a plan for their life after high school.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
The services will be provided at no cost to the district or participating students.  Big Brothers Big Sisters will coordinate transportation to and from the mentoring site, and work with the Mentoring Partner to provide meals during mentoring activities.
EVALUATION
There were 25 students who met with mentors in the 2016-2017 school year and 8 rising seniors returning for the 2017-2018 school year. There were 8 mentoring site visits to Nielsen during the 2016-2017 school year. Staff members from district, school and Big Brothers Big Sisters will continue to collaborate in the evaluation of this program.
SUBMITTED BY:  Christopher Jargo, Director, Career and Technical Education
Warren S. Brooks   Van Ayres
Workforce Connections Officer, Workforce Connections
(813) 231-1860
  Deputy Superintendent
(813) 272-4895
    C 12.01
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20170801_817 (Board Meeting followed by Public Hearing) * Section C Item# 12.01