Hiawatha High School will offer JAG-K program in the fall

Original article in Hiawatha World on April 29:

TOPEKA – Hiawatha High School will add a Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) program next fall. The evidence-based program partners with public schools to ensure that students graduate with the necessary skills to succeed.

The goal of JAG-K is to help students overcome identified barriers, graduate from high school and prepare for college or career pathways that will help them reach their full potential as leaders for their families, employers and communities. It is part of a national organization that is entering its 40th year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hiawatha to our family of JAG-K schools,” said Senior Vice-President of Programming Bev Mortimer. “The school is committed to making sure every student has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, and JAG-K will offer that extra level of support for students who need it.”

“We are excited to bring this opportunity to Hiawatha High School.” Lori Fordyce, Hiawatha High School Principal stated. “We look forward to partnering with JAG to offer our kids another tool in preparation for life after high school.”

JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades seven through 12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. Participants in the program face multiple barriers to success that their JAG-K Career Specialist helps them overcome through a nationally accredited evidence-based model. In 2018, JAG-K students had a 98 percent graduation rate. The 501© 3 not-for-profit organization is one of 35 state affiliate organizations of Jobs for America’s Graduates and is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by DCF. In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include AT&T, John Deere, and Taco Bell. To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates- Kansas’ on Facebook, and on Twitter at @JAG_Kansas.