Overview

Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to helping promising high school students who have experienced challenging or traumatic life experiences achieve academic and economic success. The program goal is to increase high school completion rates and serve as a bridge to postsecondary education and career advancement opportunities. JAG offers a multi-year program for at-risk high school juniors and seniors. The program includes classroom instruction on an individual or group basis provided by a trained JAG Specialist. The competency-based instruction equips students with no less than 37 employability skills. The State and other Federal-aid provide funding to sustain the current JAG programs. READI funding will be used to cover the staffing cost for two JAG programs. The Specialists will be hired and trained prior to start of the 2022-2023 school year, and funding will provide program support until December 2026. Anticipated outcomes include 100 youth participation in total beginning with 60 in year one and an additional 20 each year for years two and three. Additional outputs include gains in employability skills by developing resumes, strengthening interviewing skills, and participating in work-based learning opportunities; increasing career awareness through career exploration, employer visits and college tours, and applying for postsecondary education; and increasing overall graduation rates for the high schools.