Deputy Commissioner Tristan Denley and board leaders presented the MJ Foster Promise Program annual report and highlighted the program’s scale and impact. The board said the program has supported more than 10,500 Louisianians since its 2022 launch, with over 4,200 completers of high‑value, high‑demand credentials.

Denley noted the program’s funding history: “There is 10 and a half million dollars that is currently in the budget for this program. Last year, we were able to use about $7,000,000, which we were not able to utilize in the very first year. That gave us $17,000,000,” he said, explaining that carryover from the program’s first year increased available funds in the second year and allowed the program to serve more participants.

The presenters described the financial impact on participants: many MJ Foster recipients begin below the ALICE threshold and the median wage increase reported for program completers was $36,000 (mean about $41,000), figures the staff used to illustrate life‑changing income improvements for participants.

Board members and staff emphasized the program’s financial pressure. Staff said per‑participant awards are governed by statute—typical awards are $1,600 per person but can be up to $3,200 for higher‑cost programs like commercial driving license training—resulting in a program average of roughly $2,000 per participant. Staff warned that with current appropriations, new participants may not be able to enroll once carryover dollars are exhausted.

Why it matters: MJ Foster targets adult learners and short‑term workforce credentials; proponents say the program is a high‑return investment for moving households out of poverty, and the board urged the legislature to consider additional funding to meet demand.

Board action: The board approved the MJ Foster annual report and authorized the commissioner to submit the report to legislative committees.