I’m honored to announce that 10 organizations have received grants under the Higher Education Career Advisor Project (HECAP) for a total of $237,500. The organizations receiving grants will provide career exploration, career counseling, job search assistance, college information, current labor market information, and other resources to youth and families.

All proposals were read and scored by a team of Community and State-level reviewers. In making its selection, DEED set out to allocate more funding across the state; include new service providers, who target their services to individuals with multiple barriers to employment, and as part of the equity goal ensure services are available to serve communities of color and new immigrants.

Congratulations to the organizations listed below that have been awarded grants, pending contract finalization and financial review.

--Deputy Commissioner Hamse Warfa

Minnesota Valley Action Council, $25,000. Minnesota Valley Action Council will implement a two-prong approach to providing career counseling to students utilizing Partners in Career Exploration interns from the Student Counseling Program at Minnesota State University-Mankato and Minnesota Valley Action Council staff. Interns and staff will engage schools with a menu of career exploration and career counseling options and will work with individual schools to provide the services to fit their varying needs. Students will be exposed to career pathways and high-growth industries through one-on-one counseling, group presentations and/or regional events. Local contact: Heather Gleason, hgleason@workforcecouncil.org (507-345-2418)

Genesys Works, $24,000. Genesys Works will conduct its College and Careers Connection program for high school seniors by providing students with professional skills training and personalized college access curriculum. Throughout their senior year, students will attend college counseling sessions, develop relationships with their student cohort and Program Coordinator, and network with the business community. During group sessions, Genesys Works will provide students and families with labor market data, will assist in the development of career plans, will coach students through the college application and enrollment process, and will help students prepare for transition to college. Director Name: Karen Marben, kmarben@genesysworks.org (651-789-0088) Local contact: Aileen Kasper, akasper@genesysworks.org (763-999-6449)

American Indian OIC, $25,000. American Indian OIC will focus on helping secondary students graduate, learn about and prepare for post-secondary opportunities, and obtain employment in high-demand industries. Director Name: Dr. Joe Hobot, joeh@aioic.org (612-341-3358 ext 149) Local contact: Michael P. Stotesbery mstoesbery@flex-ablesoluions.com (612-825-4565)

Tree Trust, $25,000, Tree Trust will provide career pathway information and coaching to youth using three delivery formats: 1) One-on-one coaching with high school students; 2) Career Pathways Workshops at high schools and community based organizations; and 3) Youth Conservation Corps Coaching and Employment Readiness Training delivered in Tree Trust’s Summer Youth Employment Program. Tree Trust will not only expose high school students to a variety of high-growth/high-demand career options, but also will help them to identify their interests, aptitudes and expectations beginning a realistic course toward a gainful, rewarding career.Director Name: Jared Smith, Jared.smith@treetrust.org (952-767-3891) Local contact: Kathy Sullivan, Kathy.Sullivan@treetrust.org (612-940-2977)

Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, $25,000. The Boys and Girls Club of Rochester will provide experiential opportunities for career development with special attention given to youth of color, poverty and those lacking access to resources that facilitate performing to their highest potential. The Boys and Girls Club of Rochester will increase the number of youth that will be able to experience a continuum of support with encouragement and mentorship from caring adults who are local experts in high-demand fields.Director Name: Chad Campbell, ccampbell@bgclubroch.org (507-287-2300) Local Contact: Becca Stiles-Nogosek, becca.sn@bgclubroch.org (507-226-0104)

Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc., $23,000. Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council will address disparities by helping students explore their career options, make informed decisions, and achieve career goals. Services will be provided in both individual and group settings, and customized strategies will be used for targeted populations such as youth with disabilities. Staff will coordinate advisory services with local educational agencies, embedding career awareness and exploration with work-based learning as a value-added support to local educational agencies. Director Name: Carrie Bendix,cbendix@swmnpic.org (507-476-2188)Local Contact: Eriann Faris, efaris@swmnpic.org (507-467-4053).

Anoka County, $23,000. Anoka County will complement the work of school counselors by providing youth and their families information to assist them in selecting a career and appropriate education needed for that career. Counselors will guide students through career exploration and current labor market information including salary profiles on in-demand, high growth occupations and industries throughout the region. Individual career counseling and group workshops will assist students with planning for post-secondary training, accessing financial aid, learning financial literacy/budgeting, and selecting an appropriate college program. Director Name: Nicole Swanson, Nicole.Swanson@co.anoka.mn.us (763-324-2313) Local Contact: Darcy Hokkanen, Darcy.Hokkanen@co.anoka.mn.us (763-324-2306)

City of Duluth Workforce Development, $23,000. Through a variety of one-on-one and group activities, students and parents/caregivers will have the opportunity to learn about high-wage, high-demand career pathway options. The objective is to make demographic and labor market information engaging and accessible to all students and their families by integrating programs and services within schools and partnering with neighborhood community organizations. Duluth will help employers in the region meet their workforce needs by engaging students and parents/caregivers in planning to pursue high-wage, high-demand career pathways. Director Name: Elena Foshay, efoshay@duluthmn.gov (218-730-5241) Local Contact: Nelle Rhicard, nrhicard@duluthmn.gov (218-461-0474)

Project for Pride in Living, $23,000. PPL, through its “Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential” (LEAP) program, will equip young people with the skills and social capital needed to get high quality paid work experiences, graduate high school, and be successful in the workplace. PPL will provide individual goal planning, career exploration and counseling, job readiness, post-secondary information, connection to career and post-secondary pathways, on-the-job training, current labor market information, placement and follow-up, and partnerships with education, community agencies, and employers.Director Name/Local Contact: May Xiong, May.Xiong@ppl-inc.org (612-455-5207).

Rural Minnesota CEP, $21,500. Rural Minnesota CEP, through its “RMCEP Career Navigator” program will help provide high school students with the opportunity to prepare a plan for future post-secondary education and/or employment. The project will provide an opportunity for youth to receive information on occupations in demand, to engage in career exploration, to develop a realistic employment plan, to engage in an experiential learning opportunity within a career cluster and to secure access to businesses. Director Name/Local Contact: Vicki Leaderbrand,Vickil@rmcep.com (218-847-0718).