INFORMATIONAL

 Funds are available through the Department of Education's  competitive grant 
application process to establish programs using the Jobs for America's Graduates 
(JAG) national model.  These programs will be funded with local school divisions in 
the state, and the local program will carry the name Jobs for Virginia Graduates 
(JVG), consistent with a private foundation of the same name.  School divisions may 
apply for up to $20,000 and will be required to match this amount with local funds 
and/or private funds.

The primary mission of these programs is to assist twelfth-grade youth who are 
economically disadvantaged and are not achieving in school to complete high school 
as well as secure and retain quality jobs.  The school division must employ a job 
specialist, who will work directly with 35-45 students who meet the program criteria.
School divisions may pool their resources to develop a regional application.

School divisions that are interested in submitting applications in the next fiscal 
year (July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2001) should complete the forms in the grant 
application packet and submit those forms to Robert Almond at the Department of 
Education no later than April 18, 2000.  If you would like to receive the grant 
application packet, please contact Elizabeth Hawa, education specialist, at 
804/225-2836.  If you would like information on the national model and program 
requirements, please call Barry Glenn, president of JVG, at 804/323-6766.

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