Urge your senators and representatives to support the JOBS Act of 2015

At this very moment, members of Business Leaders United (BLU) together with leaders from community colleges from across the country are making their way to Capitol Hill to talk to members of Congress about how they can make Pell Grants more job-driven. Will you help reinforce their message by telling your senators and representatives to co-sponsor the JOBS Act?

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL

The Jumpstart our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act of 2015 would authorize Pell Grants for job training programs at community colleges and other institutions of higher education and would ensure that qualifying programs are aligned with the needs of local employers and lead to a recognized postsecondary credential. The bill would also encourage eligible institutions to connect short-term credential programs to career pathways and provide basic skills instruction to support student success.

The JOBS Act is an important step towards expanding access to postsecondary skills and credentials for America’s workers. Please send a letter to your senators and representative urging them to sign on as co-sponsors of this critical legislation.

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL

The bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), and in the House of Representatives by Representative Cedric Richmond (D-LA).

Resources:

• Improving access to improvement – an op/ed by BLU employer Scott Christman in support of the JOBS Act – CLICK HERE
• The JOBS Act: press release from Senator Tim Kaine – CLICK HERE
• The Senate Bill – CLICK HERE
• The House Bill – CLICK HERE
• Fact Sheet: Congress should make Pell Grants job driven – CLICK HERE
• Making Pell work: How America’s $30 billion investment in need-based college aid can be more job driven – CLICK HERE

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Dear Friends,

A year ago our firm partnered with the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness to lead the development of a comprehensive report that would serve as a roadmap to end homelessness across our state.

I am pleased to inform you that the report “The Path Forward: Rethinking Solutions for Homelessness in Florida” written by renowned homelessness expert, Barbara Poppe was released today during a press conference in Orlando with Mayor Buddy Dyer and Mayor Teresa Jacobs in attendance.

The report results are based on research and input from community dialogues conducted in Tampa Bay, Central Florida, Jacksonville and Miami.  As you will see, the primary recommendation from this report is to support Housing First models.  The following six key shifts and actions are also outlined in the report:

1. Build the capacity for improved state and local response
2. Accelerate Rental Housing Production and Access to Affordable Rental Homes for ELI (extremely low income) households
3. Finish Ending Veteran Homelessness
4. Fast-track Adoption and Implementation of Rapid Re-Housing
5. Scale Production of Permanent Supportive Housing

To help drive this strategy forward, JPMorgan Chase announced a new grant today for $600,000 to Ability Housing to support the development of new permanent supportive housing units in Orlando and Jacksonville.  ($500,000 in Orlando and $100,000 in Jacksonville).

Through public private partnerships such as this, we can help reduce homelessness in our local community and across the state.  This partnership with Ability Housing is the first step in the journey.  Our Corporate Responsibility team will be working diligently to develop long-term plans to respond to the findings and recommendations identified in the report.

Please feel free to reach out to me should you like to discuss the report findings in greater detail.

Best regards,

Ann Reinert

Ann Reinert | Vice President| Corporate Responsibility

Global Philanthropy | JPMorgan Chase & Co.

450 S. Orange Ave., Floor 10 Orlando, FL 32801

407.236.7034 | ann.reinert@jpmchase.com

This communication is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument or as an official confirmation of any transaction. All market prices, data and other information are not warranted as to completeness or accuracy and are subject to change without notice. Any comments or statements made herein do not necessarily reflect those of JPMorgan Chase & Co., its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, “JPMC”). This transmission may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format. Although this transmission and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by JPMC for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. Please note that any electronic communication that is conducted within or through JPMC’s systems is subject to interception, monitoring, review, retention and external production in accordance with JPMC’s policy and local laws, rules and regulations; may be stored or otherwise processed in countries other than the country in which you are located; and will be treated in accordance with JPMC policies and applicable laws and regulations. Please refer to http://www.jpmorgan.com/pages/disclosures for disclosures relating to European legal entities.

If you’re a company or worker in the manufacturing sector than you’ve noticed the difference CareerEdge Funders is making in the industry. A 2012 Skills Gap Study commissioned by CareerEdge Funders revealed regional employers have major concerns regarding the lack of talented workers available, the quality of training produced by our educators and the lack of soft skills found in the current workforce. CareerEdge Funders sought to address these issues and brought key stakeholders to the table to do just that.

Mireya Eavey, Executive Director of CareerEdge Funders spearheaded a collaborated effort with Sarasota County Commission, Sarasota Technical College (STC), Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and regional employers to update equipment in the schools, update curriculum being used in the classroom and connect students to current opportunities the industry offered. To close the gaps this study uncovered a new CNC Machining program at STC was developed and launched in 2013.

The CNC program graduated its first class of 15 students with a 100% job placement. On June 25^th STC will graduate its sophomore class, a class of 15. Half of the class graduates are already putting their education to practice working in manufacturing careers. STC can’t get students enrolled fast enough and companies have positions vacant and ready to fill with graduates- a refreshing change of pace following the hard hits of the economy the last several years. This year, STC launched an evening class to accommodate the demand for students seeking to obtain additional credentials while working full time positions; the current cohort of 6 will graduate this fall.

The success of this program didn’t happen overnight. It took a community-wide effort to bring the CNC program to life. Sarasota County Commission made a $313,000 investment so STC could purchase updated equipment. Regional companies invested time to develop content and curriculum that would be used in the classroom so it would be relevant in the workplace. CareerEdge Funders paved the way for this program to launch and helped unemployed, disadvantaged members of our community enter and complete the program successfully.

The movements of this community-wide approach created a ripple affect still being felt around the region. Companies who are industry competitors now sit around the table to discuss skills training, necessary industry credentials and how they can collaborate to minimize skill gaps. Educators and employers are now communicating; discussing career paths available, what training and credentials are necessary to keep employees in our community and how to help workers advance in their fields as technology continues to evolve and advance. Our community has shown get strides in joining forces to leverage resources, keep our workers competitive and diminish skill gaps and unemployment.

The impact these efforts made extend beyond the manufacturing community; the lives of those who participated in the program and the companies which grew their workforce as a result. The collaboration of government, educators, community organizations and companies coming together to implement a solution is a blueprint for how we as a region will address other workforce issues. CareerEdge Funders will continue to diminish skill gaps, help companies grow, assist in the economic development of our region and create better opportunities for the citizens in our community.

To help celebrate the success of this program and these efforts join us for the STC CNC Program Graduation, June 25^th from 6:00-9:00pm at the Sarasota Technical College Conference Centered located at: 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota FL

For more information on CareerEdge Funders, our partners and services visit our website at: www.CareerEdgeFunders.org like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or email us at info@careeredgefunders.org

I am very concerned about the impacts of Senate Bill 1252 on my community’s college, the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, and I urge you to not support this bill. The State College of Florida plays a central role in the higher education of our community. The college provides a low-cost start for many students who move on to the state’s University system after earning their Associate of Arts degree and provides workforce education and training that directly benefits our economy. SCF provides the educational opportunities that keep members of our community home and allow them to pursue low-cost higher education opportunities without disrupting their jobs and families.

SCF’s baccalaureate programs are very important to our community. These programs were developed in partnership with the business communities of Manatee and Sarasota Counties and address critical community needs not met by other local higher education institutions. The individuals seeking these degrees are typically working professionals who are trying to expand their education to advance their skills in the workplace without disrupting their jobs and families or acquiring education debt. Lengthening the time it takes for SCF to offer a degree program that the community requests or to cap the allowed enrollment in these programs only serves to punish the students who could benefit from the programs and inhibits the college’s ability to quickly respond to community needs.

Forcing SCF to change its name now will confuse people in a very crowded higher education market. In 2009, words changed when Manatee Community College became State College of Florida, but the local commitment didn’t. SCF is as much this community’s college today as it was as MCC or Manatee Junior College. There is no confusion in Manatee and Sarasota Counties on SCF’s role in the community or its mission. Using the word “state” in the name clarifies that the college is a public, open access institution, not a college seeking a state-wide presence. Ninety-two percent of SCF’s enrollment is from Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Clearly, the college understands its service area, is deeply committed to its students and is dedicated to being responsive to community needs.

A name change also results in an unnecessary expense for the college, and in turn, the taxpayers who fund the college. The money SCF would be forced to spend on changing signs, logos and documents could be much better spent on developing and enhancing academic programs for our area students.

I encourage you to not support this bill. It is not only damaging to the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, but to Manatee and Sarasota Counties as well.

Thank you for your consideration.

Carol Probstfeld
President
State College of Florida
5840 26th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34207
(941) 752-5201