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More Than $13 Million Awarded to San Diego County Schools

Via California Career Pathways Trust Grant

SAN DIEGO (May 27, 2015) – It’s a good day for San Diego County schools.

The California Career Pathways Trust Grant, created by the California Legislature and Governor Jerry Brown, has awarded the San Diego County College and Career Readiness Consortium with more than $13 million grantover two years.

The new Consortium brings together 15 school districts, the regional community college system, nonprofits, and industry partners to support economic development by building a prepared and innovative workforce. The San Diego County Office of Education will act as fiscal agents and United Way of San Diego County will facilitate the work, bringing together the various partners to ensure the development of a countywide sustainable infrastructure.

“The Consortium will provide San Diego students with career pathways to help set them up for future success,” said United Way President and CEO Kevin Crawford. “Our goal is to help transition San Diego County’s youth from high school and community college to high-wage, high-demand careers.”

The grants willpromote advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and information and communication technologies.

“This program will provide coordinated systems for career exploration and work-based learning in high schools and community colleges,” said County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Randolph E. Ward. “If students train for the careers they want in high school and in college, they will seamlessly transition into that career. It is a win-win for students and businesses.”

United Way is acting as the “backbone” of the Consortium, using a “Collective Impact” framework – a proven, more effective way to solve complex social issues. The nonprofit will use its expertise in convening large groups around common goals, taking a hard look at data and building the infrastructure to make it all work, as it does elsewhere in the community, such as with the City Heights Partnership for Children.

For more details and a full list of participating school districts, see Addendum A.

About United Way of San Diego County

By working with nonprofits, schools, businesses and community leaders, United Way of San Diego County tackles the issues that impact children and families in San Diego. The nonprofit plays a unique role, bringing the right people and resources together to spark breakthrough community action that elevates every child and family toward a brighter future. Through a Collective Impact model, United Way solves complex problems by maximizing existing community partners/resources and establishing common goals to create permanent change in the community. United Way’s efforts include anchoring the City Heights Partnership for Children and being a key partner in the upcoming Vista Partnership for Children. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to get involved by donating and volunteering. Learn more at the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

About San Diego County Office of Education

The San Diego County Office of Education provides a variety of services for the 42 school districts and five community college districts in the county. We support more than 750 schools and 500,000 students. In addition, the Office provides regional services for surrounding counties in many areas. Services range from district and school improvement to budget approval and monitoring.

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