Submitted by Robin R. King
Daytona Beach, FL – CareerSource Flagler Volusia is proud to announce that they have been awarded a two-year, $1.9 Million dollar grant through the CareerSource Florida - Get There Faster Grants, to create the Linkages to Equitable & Enhanced Access to Prosperity (LEEAP) program for Volusia and Flagler County residents.
Through collaboration with multiple stakeholders LEEAP will serve 250 individuals residing in the 32114 area of Daytona Beach, the Spring Hill Community Redevelopment Area in DeLand, and the City of Bunnell in Flagler County. These areas have been identified for having higher than average poverty levels, low median annual household incomes and higher rates of households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“I am excited about the arrival of the LEEAP program to the 32114 area” said Mayor Derrick Henry. “It will greatly enhance opportunities and enable our residents greater access to the American dream. Thank you to CareerSource Flagler Volusia for their continued drive to address inequity.”
LEEAP develops human potential through training and services designed to help individuals create innovative solutions and make informed choices that improve their lives and increase their self-sufficiency. Participants of LEEAP will receive training on career pathways and the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. Classes will be offered both online and in person in all three of the geographical areas that LEEAP is serving. In addition, CareerSource Flagler Volusia will offer wrap-around services to help support eligible individuals while they attend training which may include childcare and transportation assistance, as well as individual stipends.
Halifax Health will be one of LEEAP’s primary partners, with classes held at their main site located directly in one of the three targeted areas. “The opportunity to hold classes on our hospital campus provides a way to give participants a glimpse of all the 259 different occupations within Halifax Health” stated Mary Jo Allen, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Halifax Health. “While nursing and personal care continue to be in high demand, Information Technology remains a much needed high-skill occupation at the hospital.”
An additional training site includes the Dr. Joyce M. Cusack Resource Center in Spring Hill. “I’m delighted that the grant was awarded to CareerSource Flagler Volusia” stated Bob Apgar, Mayor of DeLand. “The funding will provide numerous opportunities for our underemployed residents that will help them develop their own career pathway or help them start their own business.”
The first Flagler site will be located at the Flagler Technical College. Renee Stauffacher, Director of FTC, stated "I am excited that FTC is partnering with CareerSource on the Get There Faster Grant. FTC will be the location of an entrepreneurship training, and we will participate in mock interviews and offer work experiences for students. Entrepreneurial thinking and excellent soft skills are essential to set students up for a successful future and career."
Additional sites within the communities will be added to ensure that the training is available to all of the residents interested in strengthening their career paths. Robin King, President & CEO of CareerSource Flagler Volusia, recognizes that the strength of this initiative is based upon the strong collaboration of education, economic development and businesses. “The partnerships at the foundation of this initiative are what will make LEEAP sustainable in the neighborhoods well past the end of the grant period.”
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CareerSource Flagler Volusia offers tools to find jobs and advance careers for residents of Flagler and Volusia. On average, the organization provides nearly 1802 job seekers each month with services such as an online job bank, career counseling, recruitment events, training, financial aid, career assessments and internships.
Services in the Career Centers are by appointment only and/or provided virtually. For more information, visit www.CareerSourceFV.com
It also assists an average of 328 businesses each month with recruitment, retention and training. CareerSource Flagler Volusia is fully supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture as part of awards totaling $8,425,568.
CareerSource Flagler Volusia is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this website may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.
