Oakland County presents Oakland 80 workforce report; staff say program removed $7.5M in barriers and directs residents to Oakland80 resources

Oakland County staff presented a cumulative quarterly report on the county's Oakland 80 career and education initiative, describing outreach efforts, in-school navigators and a barrier-removal fund county officials said has helped residents overcome costs that limit postsecondary enrollment.

Jennifer Leland, a county staff member who led the presentation, told commissioners the report covers activity from the program's inception through Dec. 31 of the most recent reporting period. "That's a cumulative report from the time of inception and exception of the resolution by the board up until, in this case, we have the data through December 31," Leland said. She said the next report will cover activity through March.

Leland said Oakland 80 has a suite of services: career-and-education navigators who are stationed at high schools and community locations, a flexible workforce assistance program that deploys success coaches to partner employers, and a business resource network that places success coaches at participating companies to help employees remain employed. She described outreach methods including social media, bus signs, billboards, direct mailings to targeted ZIP codes and thousands of community events.

Leland and commissioners discussed program details: Leland said there are now 19 Oakland 80 career-and-education navigators placed in high schools across the county and that the program operates a barrier-removal fund; she said about "$7,500,000 of barrier removal" has been spent to help residents with costs such as car repairs, books and supplies. She also referenced Michigan Reconnect tuition assistance and said the county supplements that program for incidental costs that can prevent participation.

Leland told commissioners that residents can reach Oakland 80 by calling +1 (888) 559-4360 and can find program information at Oakland80.com, Oakland80.org and OakGov.com/OaklandEighty; county social media handles include "Oakland County" and "Oakland County Michigan Works" across platforms.

Commissioners asked about timelines and spending. Leland said spending has been methodical to ensure program funds last through the program's current authorization; she noted the high-school navigator line item showed lower percent spent because many high-school navigators were onboarded only in September, producing a lower spend-to-date percentage that she expects will accelerate.

After the presentation Commissioner Smiley moved to receive the report; the committee's tally reported in the meeting audio was seven yeas and zero nays.

Why it matters: Oakland 80 is an Oakland County-funded workforce and education effort that the county says connects residents to postsecondary education, employer supports and barrier-removal assistance. The program combines in-school navigators, employer-facing services and a fund for immediate costs that inhibit education or employment.

What to watch: Staff said program reporting will continue quarterly; commissioners and staff noted ongoing outreach and an upcoming marketing push for fall postsecondary enrollment.