INTRODUCTION
The Jobs for Virginia Graduates (JVG) Competitive Grant Application packet is being disseminated to all school divisions for new grant applications to be awarded for SY 2022-2023 (June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023).
Applications are to be based on the $30,000 per program. JVG grant awards are contingent on the availability of state funds.
The JVG program is an affiliate of the national nonprofit public service corporation called “Jobs for America’s Graduates” (JAG).
The primary mission of this program is to assist youth who are disadvantaged and not achieving in school to complete high school as well as secure and retain quality jobs. The typical JVG participant has a grade point average of “C” or below. One out of five of these students has been expelled, suspended, or placed on academic/social probation prior to enrollment in the program. Almost one-half of all JVG students are members of racial/ethnic minority groups.
The primary goals of the JVG program are as follows:
• Reach a 90 percent graduation/GED rate (within twelve months after the normal school leaving time);
• Reach an 80 percent overall success rate (with participants either on the job, in the military, or enrolled in postsecondary education or training) at the end of twelve months;
• Target those young people who have 6 or more barriers to graduation;
• Demonstrate the utility of the program for a potential statewide application that would serve not only to improve the graduation rates, reduce the dropout rates, and improve the employment rate, but also reduce the number of young people who become candidates for the juvenile justice system.
To achieve these goals, the school division must employ a job specialist who will work directly with 35-45 students who meet the program criteria. The job specialist will assist students in (1) completing high school, (2) gaining employability skills, and (3) securing employment.
JVG PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Program Components:
Each JVG program must include:
A. Employment or assignment of a JVG specialist who will teach the JAG curriculum and coordinate job placements and who takes responsibility for working directly with young people who are at risk of becoming unemployed or not graduating
B. Attainment by students of a minimum of 37 competencies in career awareness, job seeking, job survival, basic academics, leadership development, and life skills development
C. Remediation and basic skills education for students, drawn from resources in the school or community
D. Participation by students in a highly motivational career association for the development of the participants’ self-esteem and confidence (activities to include job shadowing, participant organized career/leadership conference, job fairs, fund raising, and field trips outside the traditional setting)
E. Participation by students in a variety of learning formats, from small groups to tutoring, to facilitate improvement in reading, mathematics, and general academic skills
F. Assessment of students with pre- and post-testing in JAG-approved pre-employment/work-maturity competencies and basic reading and mathematics skills
G. Auxiliary services required to help young people overcome barriers to staying in school and getting good jobs
H. Intensive job development activities where the job specialist is responsible for persuading employers to accept JVG youth—at least on a trial basis—upon graduation or before
I. Twelve full months of follow-up by the job specialist after graduation to ensure that the participant’s job has career potential and to solve problems that may occur on the job, with the objective of gaining a raise or promotion for the individual within the nine- month period
J. A minimum of 130 hours (95 for pull-out prgrams) of contact, per student, including competency instruction and career association activities and counseling to ensure retention and successful completion of the program
NOTE: JVG can be offered as a for-credit course at the discretion of the school division.
Relationships and Responsibilities
A. Relationship of Comprehensive Program to School Administration
The JVG and the school division must recognize that this comprehensive program, modeled after JAG, operates as an independent program developed according to a nationally recognized model; however, the program cannot operate autonomously from the programs at school. For the success of the JVG program, there must be a collaborative, coordinated relationship within the school. The JVG recognizes that the job specialist will adhere to the rules and regulations of the school.
The job specialist will be apprised of the principal’s role of final determination in matters that relate to:
1. The daily operation of all school activities.
2. The interaction of the job specialist with staff and students.
B. Joint Responsibilities
1. Selection of Local JVG Specialist
The school division must employ a JVG specialist to be responsible for the management of the local program. The school division must notify the JVG President & CEO of the name, address, telephone number, and résumé of the person assigned to administer the program.
2. Public Relations Efforts
The JVG specialist shall notify the JVG President & CEO of any promotional activities that highlight the JVG program.
Participant Selection and Eligibility
All eligible JVG participants will be required to complete a student profile developed and provided by JAG to be considered for the program. The job specialist will determine eligibility and assist each youth in obtaining necessary documentation to complete his/her enrollment.
An advisory committee will be established within each school to assist the job specialist in the review and selection of participants as well as to provide ongoing support. The committee shall consist of one administrator, one counselor, one academic faculty member, and the job specialist. The committee may expand its membership to include community, private sector, and/or parent representation.
JAG Data Collection Requirements
1. JAG - The job specialist will be responsible for monthly reporting of data on students enrolled, student educational achievement, and student employment to the Program Manager of JVG, as required by the JAG.
2. Computer Requirements - School divisions must provide a personal computer and Internet access for the job specialist. The computer will be essential for the JAG data collection process.
"Grantees must submit $5,000 JVG/JAG affiliation and management fee to the Virginia JVG State Office. This fee is is eligible for reimbursement and covers monthly program management contacts and additional training/support during the grant period. The fee also covers JAG national affiliation fees, access to the JAG national curriculum models and the JAG Force Data Management System." JVG specialists are required to attend two one-day regional training sessions during the school year. These training sessions may be provided virtually.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING JVG GRANT CONTINUATION APPLICATION
You will need to be concise and specific in describing services to be provided, students to be served, how you will operate the program, and how you will use the funds.
Note: The Budget Section using the “object codes”must reflect all funding sources: state funds from the Department of Education and local school division funds, with the use of each specified by line item.
A committee will review your application with a focus on completeness and quality, rather than quantity.
JVG Grant Continuation Application packets must be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 29, 2022.
For assistance in the submission of grants. Contact Antonio Rice, JVG President & CEO, at (434) 953-9291 or email at antonio.rice@jobsforvagrads.org.
INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR GRANT WRITERS WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM EVERY FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2022 THROUGH APRIL 8 AT 11:00 AM.
FEEL FREE TO JOIN BY CLICKING HERE
If the answer to any of the questions below is "Not Applicable" or "$0" please enter a N/A or 0 rather than leave the required fields blank.