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JAG Kansas outlines student supports and employer engagement; Garden City programs near 6-of-6 performance targets
Summary
Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG Kansas) regional manager and a Garden City career specialist described program activities, funding sources (TANF and private grants) and local participation in Garden City High School and Garden City Achieve. Staff said both programs are on track for the JAG "6 of 6" performance award for recent graduates.
Representatives from Jobs for America's Graduates Kansas (JAG Kansas) briefed the board on the program's model, local participation and funding sources.
Natalie, regional manager for Western Kansas JAG Kansas, told the board JAG focuses on three pillars: trauma-informed care, project-based learning and employer engagement. She described a 12-month follow-up model in which career specialists continue mentoring students after graduation. "It's the class that we all wish we had in high school," Natalie said, summarizing the program's mix of financial literacy, workplace skills, character development and employer exposure.
Jared Spencer, a JAG career specialist in Garden City, described the local program's growth and employer engagements. Spencer said the program served about 65 students across two semesters this year, up from previous years, and that that increase allowed additional employer engagements and community speakers. Spencer said local funders and partners include TANF grants administered through DCF and a mix of private funders such as Honeywell, John Deere and Taco Bell; staff also said the governor recently included JAG in the state budget. Natalie and Spencer said both Garden City High School and Garden City Achieve are on track to receive the JAG "6 of 6" performance award (meeting all six performance outcomes) for the most recently measured cohort.
Board members asked about the program's capacity and recruitment; Spencer said the district goal is 55'60 students per semester and that the program is an elective that students can take across multiple semesters. He described employer visits and hands-on exercises, including financial literacy modules where students select vehicles and calculate potential payments to learn budgeting.
Ending: Board members thanked JAG staff and encouraged continued community partnerships to support employer engagement and follow-up services for graduates.
