Recap: November 13 People Working Group Meeting

Written By Hello Prismatic

People Working Group 

Topic: Income + Employment

November 13, 2024

Washington Shores Elementary School

Dr. Bridget Williams (Orange County Public Schools) opened the meeting and welcomed the group. Natalie Lovero (Lift Orlando) presented a Choice Planning Grant summary and Gaile Plowden (Orlando Housing Authority) presented the data collected relevant to the topic of income and employment (presentation found here).

  • Felicia Boyd from Orange Technical College (OTC) presented about the programs that they offer. 

    • They have five campuses in Orange County (main campus is downtown and focuses on Health care)

    • They offer Career Certificates and most of the time students complete the programs with no student loans and debt free. The programs can typically be completed in 2 years or less. 

    • They offer career services to help with placements/internships after program completion.

    • They offer dual enrollment for high school students and bus kids to and from OCPS high schools. 

    • The majority of classes are face-to-face but a select few are hybrid (i.e. medical coding, GED)

    • They are willing to provide these programs in the community, if the proper space is made available on-site.

    • In addition to offering GED courses and certificates, they offer Adult High School where students can obtain an actual high school diploma.

    • They accept Florida Bright Futures, offer internal scholarship for students with hardship (on a case-by-case basis), and have partnerships with community partners who often provide funding for participants.

  • Vivian Bryant from Orlando Housing Authority (OHA) shared about some of the initiatives they have.

    • OHA has a ‘Moving to Work (MTW)’ designation; they are one of 39 MTW agencies nationwide

    • There is a Resource Center just for public housing residents where they can go to receive referrals to resources they need.

    • Rosemarie Campbell is one of the OHA Case Managers that provides services to residents.

    • If residents are paying less than $225 per month in rent, they are required to work with a Case Manager to find employment/better employment.

    • Keisha Brown is the MTW Budget Analyst and updated the group on the MTW Proposals pending approval:

      • Collaborate with OCPS to provide housing for employees at the following schools: Rock Lake, Catalina, Orange center, Ivy Lane, Jones, Carver, and Washington Shores 

      • Modify project-based voucher programs

      • Project based vouchers for public housing replacement

      • Zip code preference for Section 8

  • Latricia Holt from Goodwill Industries of Central Florida informed the group of the Prosperity Platform.

    • Prosperity Program provides one-on-one individual coaching.

    • The coaching helps program participants to set and reach personal goals that they set themselves. 

    • This is a long-term coaching program providing coaching for an average of 3 years – they do not provide emergency services.

The following are organizations mentioned by participants during the discussion as offering services to explore: 

  • Job Training and Supports

    • Valencia College

    • University of Central Florida

    • Skill 4 - Construction Training opportunities

    • Promising People- Virtual education for trade skill certificates

    • Tool Box 4 Life

    • Jobs Partnership of Central Florida

    • CareerSource Central Florida

  • Employer Connections

    • CareerSource Central Florida

    • Goodwill Industries of Central Florida 

    • Orange County Government Community Action

    • Second Harvest Food Bank 

    • Military and Veteran Affairs

    • Stop the Violence and Embrace – youth program

  • Supports for Entrepreneurs

    • National Entrepreneur Center, Score, Small Business Development Center (UCF) – Fashion Square Mall (offers a variety of programs for free or low-cost such as QuickBooks, developing business plans, etc.)

    • Lift Orlando’s Small Business Institute 

    • UCF incubator program

    • African American Chamber of Commerce

    • We could provide grants to entrepreneurs

  • Financial Literacy

    • Goodwill Financial Wellbeing Center

    • National Entrepreneur Center

    • HELP CDC

    • BBIF (Black Business Investment Fund)

    • Local banks

  • Assistance with Benefits

    • There is a need for an access center

    • Neighborhood Center for Families

    • Community Centers

    • DMV

    • Orange County Government

    • United Way (211)

    • Salvation Army

    • Urban League

    • Florida Blue has navigator

Hello Prismatic
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