Located in:
- III. Operational Planning ElementsThe Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II.(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- a. State Strategy ImplementationThe Unified or Combined State Plan must include—
- 2. Implementation of State StrategyDescribe how the lead State agency with responsibility for the administration of each core program or a Combined Plan partner program included in this plan will implement the State’s Strategies identified in Section II(c). above. This must include a description of—
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
- a. State Strategy Implementation
III. a. 2. H. Improving Access to Postsecondary Credentials
Current Narrative:
Florida Career and Professional Education Act
CareerSource Florida collaborates with the Department of Economic Opportunity, DOE’s Division of Career and Adult Education and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to provide certification opportunities to secondary students. Created by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Career and Professional Education (CAPE) Act provides students with cutting-edge training and earned industry certifications required for high-skill, high-wage jobs in Florida’s target and infrastructure industries. Through collaborative partnerships between education, industry, workforce and economic development entities, CAPE offers new and meaningful opportunities for students. CAPE supports local and regional economic development and helps attract and retain high-value industries to develop a diverse, knowledge-based economy.
Data reveals that students earning industry certifications have more positive student performance with higher average GPAs, lower rates of chronic absenteeism and disciplinary actions and a lower dropout rate. Students who earned a certification were more likely to take Advanced Placement or dual enrollment courses than students who did not earn a certification. The earning of industry certifications correlates with higher student performance among high school students. Academy students who graduate with an industry certification outperform the academy students who graduate without an industry certification, with a higher placement rate in employment or postsecondary education. Public school districts are awarded additional funding for students earning industry certifications.
In academic year 2016-17, the ninth year of implementation of the CAPE Act, school districts registered 1,743 high school and 201 middle school career and professional academies, representing 58 of Florida’s school districts as well as the Florida State University School. School districts registered 1,173 unique career-themed courses, representing all 67 of Florida’s school districts, the Florida Virtual School and the Florida State University School.
VR staff received training on CAPE certifications and seeks to increase integration of CAPE providers as VR providers while encouraging existing VR providers of career and technical education to pursue CAPE certification.
The list of industry certifications is updated annually, and final funding determinations are made by the Florida Department of Education.
Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Youth Program
The VR Transition Youth program collaborates with education officials and partners to offer youth with disabilities opportunities to gain work experiences that help them prepare for successful employment. Collaborations such as High School High Tech, Project SEARCH and Postsecondary Education programs engage youth in experiences that blend academics with career and technical education and provide hands-on career exploration and preparation activities where learned skills, attitudes and behaviors can be applied. These evidence-based applications of learning, which includes internships and other work experiences, often lead to successful employment. For some students, these programs include earning postsecondary credentials which allow them to explore professional jobs that may lead to higher-wage careers. VR involvement in these collaborations provides funding for participants to receive needed services and other supports. This shared support helps partner programs to serve more youth. VR partnerships deliver career development and employment options through direct services to youth who would not otherwise have access to these opportunities. In addition, VR has delivered Pre-ETS under WIOA through the Summer Youth Program. This is especially beneficial as youth are able to maintain skills gained during the school year during the summer months when such skills will typically decline.
Adult Education Integrated Education and Training Program
Adult education programs promote activities that increase an individual’s ability to transition to postsecondary education and obtain employment. FICAPS requires programs to partner with postsecondary career and technical programs to develop and deliver an integrated education and training program. As the integrated education and training activities are developed, collaboration occurs with local workforce development boards to determine the workforce demands for the area and ensure the career and technical programs selected support that need. One component of FICAPS is the provision of wrap-around support services including transportation, child care and other support. This requires collaboration with social services agencies.
Core programs work through Florida’s Employment First initiative and the Higher Education Coordinating Council to expand and develop innovative ways to ensure seamless articulation and accessibility to programs leading to credentials and apprenticeship opportunities.