JAG-K STUDENTS VISIT KANSAS STATEHOUSE AND MEET WITH GOVERNOR

Students interact with legislators, receive Kansas Statehouse tours

TOPEKA (February 21, 2018) – More than 225 Kansas high school students representing Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) programs recently traveled to Topeka to visit the Kansas Statehouse. Students had the opportunity to meet and interact with legislators and receive Capitol tours.

“We wanted to come to the Capitol and get tours, but we also wanted to come and promote JAG-K and tell our legislators how good of a program it is in our school. I think that 100 percent of students could benefit from being in JAG-K,” said Megan Londeen, Southwest Regional JAG-K President.

JAG-K was recognized at 10 a.m. on the Kansas House of Representatives floor and at 2 p.m. on the Kansas Senate floor. JAG-K is a multi-year 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. Kansas adopted the program in 2013.

JAG-K is one of the most successful JAG startups in the country. In 2016, JAG-K students reached a 93 percent graduation rate, thanks to the supports and services offered by JAG-K Career Specialists. The JAG-K Class of 2017 already has achieved a 97 percent graduation rate.

JAG-K is primarily funded through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) dollars, through the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). Funds are available through an annual federal block grant.

“JAG-K is one of many poverty-prevention programs that DCF funds, helping numerous Kansas youth achieve a brighter future,” said Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. “This is a wonderful program, and I am so excited that these students had the opportunity to come to our State Capitol and see the legislative process firsthand.”

“Education is so fundamentally important to the success of Kansas children,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “JAG-K is equipping Kansas students with the right tools to have a successful, prosperous future.”

JAG-K is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and an affiliate of the national JAG program that operates in 32 states. In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas State Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include the Aetna Foundation, Amerigroup Foundation, AT&T, and John Deere Coffeyville Works. 

To learn more about JAG-K visit, www.jagkansas.org. To learn more about poverty prevention programs funded by DCF visit, www.dcf.ks.gov.

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