Knott, Rota – AHS8200 - Week 1 Journal

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 (11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.)

I attended a statewide meeting of Local Management Boards with the Governor’s Office
for Children to review the state’s requirements for program development for fiscal year 2018-
2019. GOC is making available to LMBs additional programmatic funding through a competitive
application process. This may be an opportunity to submit a request for funding for a college
access program, my focus area for my capstone project. Because of my strength as a grant writer,
the opportunity to secure additional funds for a new program is appealing to me. However, the
proposal is due in April so I may not have enough time during my capstone project to complete
an application.

It was very beneficial for me to discuss with representatives from other LMBs in the state
what programs they fund related to college and career access for youth in their communities.
While several LMBs partner with their school systems to support career readiness, none of them
help to address college access for youths who are first generation or have had justice system
involvement. I can learn from the successes of existing programs to help determine what may
work in Somerset County.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 (12–2 p.m.)

I attended a meeting of the Somerset County Local Management Board, where the board
discussed the needs of the community and reviewed its existing programs for the year. The board
discussed the challenges of disconnected/opportunity youth in the community, those who are not
in school and not working. I suggested and led a discussion about creating a youth council in that
would provide input to the board on issues affecting youth and families, with a focus on
education.

The board was very receptive to the idea, particularly the representative from the school
system. The representative from the school system also expressed interested in my idea for
partnering with the high schools to develop a college access program. I was encouraged by her
comment that she would talk with some of the other school system representatives about the idea
and schedule a meeting with me to explore it further.

Thursday, January 18, 2018 (2-4 p.m.)

I completed an in-depth review of the 60-page Notice of Funding Availability released by

the Governor’s Office for Children through which the SCLMB is eligible to receive grant funds.
The NOFA fits nicely with my capstone project idea because one of the focus areas is
disconnected youth, individuals ages 16 to 24 who are neither working nor going to school. This
may be an area where a program developed in conjunction with the school system would fit.
Friday, January 19, 2018 (12-2 p.m.)

I attended a strategic planning meeting of the Somerset County Local Drug and Alcohol
Council. Overall, I was excited to learn during the week’s activities that my idea for a college
and career access program in Somerset County is right on target. Individuals who I spoke with at
the meeting felt strongly that youth unemployment remains a challenge for the county and lack
of jobs is one of the reasons people are turning to drugs, particularly opioids and heroin. I would
like to learn more about this connection between substance use and employment/education and
will conduct research and contact community partners to do so.