Hoping to help improve positions opportunities for all students after graduation, Salem High School is excited to announce their partnership with Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG).
JAG is a state-based, national nonprofit organization that helps high school students find success after graduation. The program is geared toward students who have experienced challenging or traumatic life experiences.
“This is so exciting because we weren't sure we would be selected or be able to implement the program until August of 2024 if at all,” said Assistant Superintendent Jill Mires. “But due to increased funding and partnering with schools who were already interested in programming, we are able to partner very soon!”
The program will launch at SHS in January and will be available for students in grades ninth through eleventh. Seniors will be added to the program in the 2024-2025 school year.
JAG is a resilience building program that helps students learn employability skills and provides a bridge to postsecondary education and career opportunities. The program is offered through Southern Indiana Works.
According to a flier about the program, the JAG Indiana graduation rate is 95%. There are currently 130 programs in 120 high schools across the state. Since 2006, JAG has had 20,000-plus participants and more than 6,000 Indiana employers engaged with JAG students providing internships, job shadowing opportunities, mentoring, skills training and career exploration.
One of the main goals of JAG is to keep students in school through graduation and help improve their future success in the workforce or in college. A JAG trained specialist provides classroom instruction, which is held during the regular school day.
The instruction is competency based and will equip students with no less than 37 employability skills, plus career exploration and development. The program also includes Project Based Learning (PBL) methodology, which creates engaging classroom atmospheres and allows students to participate in realistic learning experiences.
Students also have an opportunity to be leaders and develop leadership experience. Students have the opportunity to be involved in civic engagement, public service, leadership development, career prep and social awareness.
Principal Troy Albert is excited about these opportunities for SHS students. He wants to catch any kids who may be falling through the cracks and make sure they get on a path that will help them be successful.
The program also provides job and post-secondary education placement services and helps graduates find job opportunities and/or help explore post-secondary options. Students then receive 12-months of follow up services through JAG post graduation. This gives students support in employment, military service and/or college.
Albert said the follow up process will be crucial to the success of these students. He believes the follow up is key and is looking forward to see what an impact this program will have.
In August, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced plans to expand the JAG program in Indiana. According to a press release from his office, the plan is to increase the program to 250 programs in the state by the 2024-2025 school year. “The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has partnered with the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) who will invest more than $23.1 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants to realize this expansion from 125 to 250 programs in the state.”
According to the governor’s office, the plan is to launch 40 new JAG programs by January 2024 and another 45 by August 2024. SCS is looking forward to introducing the program to the community and what it will offer students.