Workforce Connections Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, September 10, 2019
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve Addendum One to 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 amendment allows for a continuation of two existing programs at Leto High School and Middleton High School and would allow additional high school sites to be added this school year. During year one, the program is provided to a minimum of 20 and maximum of 50 high school juniors. Rising juniors will remain matched in the program and an additional group of high school juniors may 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 provided essential skills training and will shadow and meet with their assigned 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
We have had 45 students from 2016-2019 successfully complete the School-to-Work program and graduate from high school. We plan to have 55 students in the program this 2019-2020 school year with one to two additional sites pending with a possibility of serving 25-50 additional students.
SUBMITTED BY:  Christopher Jargo, Director, Career and Technical Education

Michael Ramsey		Warren S. Brooks
General Director, Career, Technical, and Adult Education (813) 231-1860		Workforce Connections Officer (813) 231-1860
		B 10.01
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20190910_930 (Board Meeting followed by Public Hearing) * Section B Item# 10.01