AO, Inc. - AO Workforce Partnerships; Jobs For Graduates

Jobs for Missouri Graduates (JMG) is a pilot project that is funded by the Missouri Division of Workforce Development. A.O., Inc. currently operates seven sites in southern Missouri. These are located at Liberty High School (Mt. View Birchtree School District), Willow Springs High School, Marshfield High School, Republic High School, East Newton High School (Granby, Missouri) and two sites at Joplin High School.

JMG is affiliated with the national organization of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). They provide model services for statewide dropout prevention and workforce preparation programming for at-risk youth delivered in the classroom through support of school and business partnerships. The ultimate goal of JMG is to help today’s youth secure a quality job that will lead to a good career, either directly after high school or after post secondary education.


Students Participating in Team Building Exercises: House Building and a Ropes Course

JMG focuses on keeping students in school through graduation and improving their rates of success in acquiring employability and occupational competencies. It accomplishes these goals through a set of comprehensive services:
Classroom Instruction - A trained “Career Specialist” provides individual and group instruction to 35-40 students. Instruction will cover a minimum of 37 core competencies for senior program participants and up to a total of 84 competencies for multi-year (grades 9-12) participants.
Employability Skills - Participants will be equipped with 37 core employability competencies.
Adult Mentoring - Specialists provide individual attention to students to overcome barriers to advancement.
Advisement and Support – Specialists connect participants to counseling and other professional services to address more serious barriers.
Summer Employment Training - JMG programs include placement services for students over the summer months.
Student-Led Leadership Development – Participants are provided the opportunity to participate in regional and state Career Development Conferences offering general sessions, career workshops and competitive events.
Job and Post Secondary Education Placement Services - Specialists are engaged in intensive, one-on-one employer marketing and job development activities.
Linkages to School and Community-Based Services – JMG programs serve as school based “one stop centers” for targeted youth.
12-Month Follow-up Services – JMG provides twelve months of follow-up services and support.
Accountability System – Jobs for America’s Graduates fully accredits JMG affiliates based on their ability to fully implement the JAG model programming.
Professional Development - Continuous improvement is an ongoing service provided by the National office of JAG to JMG staff and administrators.


Classroom Instruction		Student Leadership Training

JMG’s performance outcome goals are consistent with those achieved nationally through other JAG model based programs by the close of the 12 month follow-period:
• 90% Graduation Rate (completing a high school diploma or GED)
• 80% Positive Outcomes Rate (graduates are either employed, enrolled in a post secondary institution or serving in the military) at the close
of the 12 month follow up period.
• 80% Placement Rate (graduates are engaged in full-time employment, full-time military, or combining a postsecondary education with employment).


Students Attending a HiWay Patrol Drunk Driving Simulation Workshop

For more information about A.O., Inc. JMG sites, and programming contact:
Harlin Flippin, JMG Coordinator
P.O. Box 1277
Springfield, MO 65801
417-862-1753 ext 205

For more information concerning the JAG Model Services, please visit their web site at: www.jag.org