Bill Text: MS SR35 | 2023 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Recognizing the "P3: Passion. Purpose. Paycheck." Student Career Development Program in Jackson County.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 8-2)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-02-13 - Adopted [SR35 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2023-SR35-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) England, Parker, Wiggins, Seymour, Carter, Thompson, Moran, DeLano
Senate Resolution 35
(As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE "P3: PASSION. PURPOSE. PAYCHECK." PROGRAM IN JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, WHICH DEVELOPS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS PARTNERS AND HONORING RECENT GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, we join the citizens of Jackson County and the entire state in commending the "P3: Passion. Purpose. Paycheck." Program staff for their laudable work to ensure Jackson County high school students have a plan for enrollment, employment or enlistment after graduation; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation (JCEDF), Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of George and Jackson Counties collaboratively developed the P3 Program to address labor force gaps and enhance the student-to-workforce pipeline within Jackson County, which is among the most industrialized areas in the entire state and has workers from 81 of Mississippi's 82 counties; and
WHEREAS, the P3 Program is a unique initiative that provides one-on-one career coaching in each of Jackson County's seven high schools; exposure to short, high-energy job videos; industry visits that introduce high school students to real-time employees of Jackson County employers; and aptitude testing through a nationally-recognized technology platform that helps students find their passion, their purpose, and ultimately, their paycheck; and
WHEREAS, the P3 Program has already generated positive results for its local community, including addressing a barrier to employment which, through the hard work of the P3 career coaching supervisor, David Fava, and his team, resulted in the first-ever high school career fair for 2022 December graduates in which 22 students signed letters of intent to begin work with Ingalls Shipbuilding; and
WHEREAS, the P3 Program has reached nearly 40% of Jackson County's high school students in its first year, with more than 2,128 contact hours completed between career coaches and students; over 200 jobs shadowing connections have been made; and more than 50 students have graduated and begun careers with employers such Ingalls, Rolls-Royce, the U.S. Navy, Singing River Health System, and others; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature recently invested $8 Million to develop a statewide career coaching program and has an obligation to taxpayers to ensure these dollars are invested in programs that, like the P3 Program, are designed to meet the needs of the local community; and
WHEREAS, the P3 Program is a model that reflects strong community support from its nonprofit partners who work directly with P3 career coaches and the career coach supervisor in connecting students with local employers; and
WHEREAS, the P3 Program model includes a supervisor who provides daily advocacy for career coaches and a nontraditional arrangement with local educational partners to ensure P3 coaches can singularly focus on post-graduation planning with students; and
WHEREAS, the P3 Program includes a career coach supervisor, David Fava, and seven highly-qualified and passionate career coaches, including Amanda Stubbs at Gautier High School, Brittni Martin at St. Martin High School, Kim Wiley at Vancleave High School, Quinta Anderson at Ocean Springs High School, Regina Story at Moss Point High School, Shirrell Williams at East Central High School, and Shunda Williams at Pascagoula High School; and
WHEREAS, the P3 Program is an exemplary initiative that can serve as a model as the Legislature considers expanding career coaching programs across the state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we recognize the "P3: Passion. Purpose. Paycheck." Program in Jackson County, Mississippi, its outstanding career coaches and supervisor, and community partners for their work helping students find career and educational pathways following high school graduation, and honor recent graduates of the program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the P3 Program Supervisor and his staff, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
