KCSOS chosen as Regional Technical Assistance Center for Golden State Pathways Program
As part of its cradle-to-career initiative, California’s Golden State Pathways Program (GSPP) will invest $500 million over the next several years to help students progress seamlessly from high school to college and career. The program aims to expand California’s workforce, which experts say is necessary for long-term economic growth.
More than $1.8M of the statewide pot will go to the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office.
The grant will allow KCSOS to become a Regional Technical Assistance Center (RTAC) for the Central Valley Region and assist school districts in twelve counties in applying for and implementing their own GSPP grants.
“This designation reflects our commitment to empowering students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in high-growth industries,” said Dr. Kierstin Webb, director of KCSOS’s College & Careers Programs department, which will operate the initiative.
Specifically, Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne counties will benefit from KCSOS’s comprehensive support. RTAC services will include technical assistance, professional development, refining curriculum offerings to meet the evolving demands of the job market, and helping other counties monitor and document future grant allocations as required.
The Golden State Pathways Program aligns with the broader goals of preparing students for success in high-wage, high-skill, high-growth areas including technology, health care, education, and climate-related fields.
We look forward to collaborating with educational institutions across the region to strengthen pathways for our students and contribute to the economic growth of the Central Valley.
This is the second time recently that KCSOS has been awarded statewide funding to become an RTAC. Last year, KCSOS was named co-lead along with the Fresno County Office of Education to support and serve school districts in the region looking to implement Community Schools.
Community Schools are a “whole child” approach to education and provide an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community/parent engagement.
By Robert Meszaros
Rob Meszaros is Director of Communications for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, where he has served since 2012. In his role, Meszaros oversees media relations, internal and external communication strategies, publications, Marcom, branding, and multi-media content creation. Before joining KCSOS, Meszaros was the PIO for CSU Bakersfield and earlier worked for seven years at The Bakersfield Californian.