Recommendations / Workforce / Big Idea #2: DC Ready

Big Idea #2: DC Ready

Part of the "Opportunity Tomorrow - Education" initiative

WorkforceDouglasville/Douglas$500,000–$1,000,000

Overview

Create a workforce development alliance between workforce development organizations, the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, the Douglas County School System, and local employers focused on enhancing work readiness and reducing employment barriers for students, recent graduates, underemployed, and unemployed Douglas County citizens. The committee would increase communication between the local school system, employers, institutes of higher education, local government, and nonprofit organizations. DC Ready would focus on business recruitment, job skills training, youth development, online learning programs, public communications, community literacy, and a mobile career center.

Action plan

Short-term
Determine which organization and/or individual will coordinate committee formation and act as the backbone organization; identify individuals, organizations, and programs to target for membership; investigate funding sources; choose committee leadership; identify and choose committee members. Create the DC Ready Committee/Board to provide overall vision and leadership.
Medium-term
Conduct the first meeting of the board; solidify the committee vision for DC Ready; determine specific goals and objectives; schedule future committee meetings, such as bi-monthly or quarterly meetings; develop subcommittees for data collection and other needs; collect community data to inform implementation; complete SWOT analysis; continue pursuing funding sources.
Long-term
Finalize a strategic plan based on committee goals and objectives; identify geographic areas of need; hire and train staff; purchase the mobile career center; begin implementing mobile programs.

Expected impact

Projected Staff RequiredEquity

Tracks need to hire and train staff.

Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Social MobilityEconomic

Tracks expected increase in employment rate.

Projected Career Pathway ParticipationEducational

Tracks increased job readiness skills.

Projected Attendance ImprovementOperational

Tracks types of activities/classes and attendance at those activities/classes.

Projected Learning Resource DistributionEducational

Tracks parent and student resource investment.

Projected: $15,000 technology/books cost · Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Social MobilityEconomic

Tracks expected decrease in underemployment rate.

Projected Multi Stakeholder InvolvementEquity

Tracks proposed board membership across school system, chamber, higher education, government, employers, and community partner agencies.

Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Advisory Committees CreatedEducational

Tracks creation of the DC Ready Committee/Board.

Projected: 1 committee/board · Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Technology SystemsInfrastructure

Tracks purchase of the mobile DC Ready vehicle or trailer.

Projected: $100,000 vehicle/trailer cost · Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Demographic InclusionEquity

Tracks demographic data including race, gender, income, and target areas.

Projected: 4 demographic categories
Projected Technology SystemsOperational

Tracks branding and remodeling of the mobile DC Ready space.

Projected: $50,000 branding/remodel cost · Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Career Pathway ParticipationEducational

Tracks participation in CTAE pathways and workforce development programming.

Projected Multi Year FundingOperational

Tracks total initial start-up cost.

Projected: $300,000 initial start-up cost · Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Service Delivery ImprovementEducational

Tracks delivery of job shadowing, interviewing preparation, mentoring, CTAE pathways, and sponsorships.

Projected Cross Department CoordinationEquity

Tracks coordination across education, workforce development, local government, employers, and community organizations.

Projected Partner OrganizationsEducational

Tracks listed partnership organizations for DC Ready.

Projected: 8 listed partners
Projected Workforce Training CompletionEducational

Tracks job trainer support for workforce readiness.

Projected Accountability MechanismsOperational

Tracks trend data collection across demographics, perception, process, and achievement.

Projected: 4 data areas
Projected Graduation IncreaseEducational

Tracks graduation rate in identified areas.

Projected Future Funding ProbabilitySustainability

Tracks multiple possible funding sources, including grants, corporate sponsorships, local employers, county government, and private donations.

Projected Implementation Phase CountEquity

Tracks the five stated action steps for DC Ready.

Projected: 5 action steps · Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Academic Performance GrowthEducational

Tracks standardized testing achievement data in identified areas.

Projected Program Capacity GrowthOperational

Tracks expansion of DC Ready through subcommittees, data collection, funding pursuit, and mobile programming.

Timeframe: Medium-term
Projected Service Delivery ImprovementCommunity

Tracks parent perception data collected by survey.

Projected Student Support ServicesEducational

Tracks increased parent ability to assist with children’s academic requirements.

Projected Strategic Alignment ScoreInstitutional

Tracks alignment between education policy, workforce development, and business needs.

Projected Kindergarten ReadinessEducational

Tracks intended increase in school readiness of students in economically disadvantaged areas.

Projected Underserved PopulationEquity

Tracks service to economically disadvantaged students and families.

Projected Workforce Training CompletionEducational

Tracks job skills training activities.

Projected Mentorship ParticipantsEducational

Tracks mentoring support delivered through business partnerships.

Long Term Operational ViabilityOperational

Tracks annual operating cost for job trainer(s), advertising, mobile center upkeep, online program maintenance, and community literacy program.

Projected: $500,000 annual cost
Projected Literacy ImprovementEducational

Tracks intended increase in literacy rate of students in economically disadvantaged areas.

Projected Digital Learning AccessOperational

Tracks online program maintenance as part of DC Ready operations.

Projected Public Service AccessEquity

Tracks mobile career center access for citizens with transportation and access barriers.

Projected Public Private PartnershipsEducational

Tracks connection between businesses, school system, higher education, local government, nonprofit organizations, and employers.

Key stakeholders

DC Ready Committee/BoardWorkforce development organizationsDouglas County Chamber of CommerceDouglas County School SystemLocal employersStudentsRecent graduatesUnderemployed Douglas County citizensUnemployed Douglas County citizensEarly childhood residentsParentsLocal institutes of higher educationWest Georgia Technical CollegeLocal city governmentLocal county governmentCommunity partner organizationsNonprofit organizationsAtlanta Regional CommissionGeorgia Department of LaborDepartment of Community AffairsAmerican Red CrossGoogleWorkforce DevelopmentLocal boards of educationUniversity System of GeorgiaTechnical College System of GeorgiaGeorgia employersGeorgia Vision ProjectSpark campaignCommunity Development Block GrantU.S. Department of Labor - Employment and Training AdministrationU.S. Department of EducationCorporate sponsorshipsLocal employers funding supportPrivate donationsJob trainer(s)Mobile career centerLocal business communityCommunity partner agencies

Estimated budget

Detailed visible budget: Mobile DC Ready Vehicle or Trailer: $100,000. Mobile DC Ready Branding and Remodel of space: $50,000. Parent and Student Resources, including technology and books: $15,000. Total initial start-up: $300,000. Annual cost: $500,000 for job trainer(s), advertising, mobile center upkeep, online program maintenance, and community literacy program.