Thursday, April 17, 2008

Summer Employer Host Sites Needed!

Through a collaborative project with the City of Columbus Mayor’s Office of Education and TECH CORPS Ohio students from around Franklin County are learning technology skills to enrich their learning and prepare them for future employment in the field of technology.

City Student TECH CORPS is an innovative program funded by Franklin County Jobs and Family Services. This program provides students (ages: 14-18) with 32-weeks of computer skills readiness and employment soft skills training.

Students who successfully complete the program are assigned a 10-week paid summer job where they can apply the technology and soft skills they have learned in a real-world setting.

We need your help! Please get involved with the City Student TECH CORPS program by providing our students with a 10-week (June 16– August 22, 2008) technology-related work experience. Students will visit your site 30 hours each week and we ask that you provide them with the opportunity to apply the technology and soft skills they have learned in the program. City Student TECH CORPS will supplement the students’ salary at $7/hour. Therefore, there is NO COST to you!

The skills the students learn as a result of their participation in the City Student TECH CORPS program will have lifelong benefits. We ask that you partner with us to support your next generation of employees! Whether or not you are able to place one student or 10 - we need your support! Please email lisa@techcorpsohio.org or call us at 614-583-9211.

Thanks to all of our 2006-2007 Host Sites: AARP, Children’s Hospital, City of Columbus: Department of Technology, Columbus Division of Fire, Franklin County Treasurer’s Office, HAZ Technologies, Ohio Historical Society, The Ohio House of Representatives, The Ohio State University, Sophisticated Systems, Inc., Town and Country Animal Clinic and the Wexner Center.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

City Student TECH CORPS Ambassadors Help Commissioners Kick Off National County Government Week




April 8th, Franklin County kicked-off National County Government Week (NCGW) during which Commissioners were joined by ten students from area high schools at their weekly General Session meeting.
NCGW, sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo), was first celebrated in 1991 to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation’s counties. The theme for this year’s celebration of NCGW is “Protecting Our Children.”
“Our essential goal in Franklin County is providing help to children and families in need,” Board President Marilyn Brown stated. “National County Government Week creates awareness of the vital services offered through the county.”
“It is fitting that this year’s theme is ‘Protecting our Children’,” said Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy. “From ensuring that families have access to affordable health care to building partnerships that support education, especially science, technology, engineering and mathematical education, to recruiting and retaining good jobs for our youth as they become adults, county government plays a huge role in the lives of children.”
Commissioners honored the students with certificates for participating in National County Government Week. Several students who were involved in the county funded City Student TECH CORPS program spoke to the Commissioners about the positive impact the program had on their lives. The students also attended a reception and tour of the county courthouse.
City Student TECH CORPS Ambassadors spent time with County Treasurer Ed Leonard, County Sherriff Jim Karnes, County Engineer Dean Ringle and Judge Tim Horton.










The Session can be viewed on the Government Television Channel 3 (GTC-3). General Sessions are broadcast each Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 10 a.m., Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Monday at 12 noon.

Friday, April 4, 2008

City Student TECH CORPS Names 2007-2008 Youth Ambassadors

The City Student TECH CORPS Youth Ambassadors are students that participate in the City Student TECH CORPS program and were identified for outstanding improvement or achievement.

2007-2008 City Student TECH CORPS Ambassadors
Shayla Birtcher, West HS, Tanisha Coffee, Briggs HS, Malcolm Dawson, Eastmoor Academy, Sheron Edmonds, Horizon Academy, Nakita Likely, Columbus Virtual HS, Kateresa Lee, Eastmoor Academy, Mikal Leggon, Northland HS, Mohamed Ndiaye, Independence HS and Jordan Sellers, Columbus Alternative HS

Each year, TECH CORPS Ohio staff and instructors select no more than 10 students to serve as City Student TECH CORPS Youth Ambassadors. Students must meet the following criteria to be considered:
· 90% attendance at the City Student TECH CORPS program
· Achieved 80% or higher on City Student TECH CORPS Certification test
· Received a City Student TECH CORPS instructor recommendation
· Clearly express in a 300 word essay “Why I will be a great City Student TECH CORPS Ambassador”

City Student TECH CORPS Youth Ambassadors are involved in numerous activities that create public awareness of the City Student TECH CORPS program. Past opportunities have included:
· Representing City Student TECH CORPS at Columbus City Council and Columbus City Schools Board Meeting;
· Representing City Student TECH CORPS at important TECH CORPS events;
· Serving as a City Student TECH CORPS program spokesperson to the media;
· Leading peer activities;
· Youth Ambassadors also receive preferred placement in the Summer Internship Program.

Youth Ambassadors for City Student TECH CORPS will be introduced to the public during TECH CORPS Ohio’s Annual Fundraiser, TECHNight 6.0 which takes place Thursday May 8, 2008. The Ambassadors will make a pledge to take full advantage of opportunities to enhance their knowledge and understanding of technology and use their talents, energies and resources to represent their peers at programs sponsored by TECH CORPS Ohio and other City Student TECH CORPS collaborative partners.

City Student TECH CORPS is an innovative program developed by TECH CORPS Ohio and the City of Columbus, Mayor’s Office of Education. This program provides 100 students with 32 weeks of computer and employment soft skills training. Tech-savvy instructors work in an informal education environment using the Student TECH CORPS® curriculum (http://www.studenttechcorps.org/) to prepare students for Level I Technical Support Certification and to build their knowledge of Information Technology educational and career pathways. Students who successfully complete the program are assigned a 10-week paid summer internship where they can apply their newly acquired skills in a real-world setting; making the training authentic.
Funding for City Student TECH CORPS is from Franklin County Board of Commissioners and administered by the FCDJFS

Friday, January 18, 2008

City Student TECH CORPS - 1st Quarter Super Stars!!!!

Well the results are in... and I am sooo proud of so many of our students. This year, we decided to infuse the program with a few more competitions. So here are some of the results from the first three months of the City Student TECH CORPS Program.

TOP 10 Certification Test Scores:
Class Night
First Name Last Name - Test Score (out of 50)
Wednesday
Travis McDonald-49
Tuesday
Tramell Johnson-49
Wednesday
Shaquila Coston-49
Wednesday
Aricka Williams-49
Thursday
Essence Johnson-49
Wednesday
Alexus Swidecki-49
Thursday
Antoinette Kelley-49
Thursday
Trey Banks-48
Thursday
Erick Hudson-48
Thursday
Gamaal Kelley-48

Students also win points for perfect attendance, participating in professional dress day, report cards, technology competitions...
TOP 10 Overall CSTC Points:
Class Night
First Name Last Name - Total Points (out of 115)
Wednesday
Travis McDonald-104
Wednesday
Anneshia Robinson-102
Tuesday
Davon Woodley-102
Wednesday
Malcolm Dawson-101
Tuesday
Rashaan Woodley-100
Thursday
Rian Jones-99
Thursday
Mohamed Ndiaye-99
Thursday
Albane Marshall-98
Monday
Chelsey Schwalbauch-98
Thursday
Del-Vaunte Scott-98

I want to thank Joanie at Allied Advertising for rewarding our Top 10 students with movie passes to "How She Move."

And finally, our Instructors and Staff selected the Wednesday Night class to receive a special treat - based on their class' overall test scores, attendance and ATTITUDE - they received a fully catered meal from City Bar-B-Que! Thanks so much to Robin and our other friends at City Bar-B-Que for donating a VERY GOOD dinner!
Sorry for bustin' you out Quentin - I couldn't resist!
It was finger-lickin' good!
Thanks Again City Bar-B-Que!!!!
Congrats to all of our CSTC Students - Continue to reach higher!!!
See ya soon,
Ms. Lisa!



Tuesday, December 4, 2007

City Student TECH CORPS - the best year ever?

I know it has been awhile since my last post - I have been BUSY, more on that to come...
Today, I want to focus on our 2007-2008 City Student TECH CORPS Program. This program provides 100 students with 32 weeks of computer and employment soft skills training. Tech-savvy instructors work in an informal education environment using the Student TECH CORPS® curriculum (http://www.studenttechcorps.org/) to prepare students for Level I Technical Support Certification and to build their knowledge of Information Technology educational and career pathways. Students who successfully complete the program are assigned a 10-week paid summer internship where they can apply their newly acquired skills in a real-world setting; making the training authentic.
Each year, I am so impressed by Columbus' young people and especially the ones who are willing to stand in line for hours to get into this program. I am very excited about this year's class of students - they seem committed, inquisitive and fun-loving. And although I say this every year, they seem like they are going to be our best CSTC class ever!



A few facts about this year's class:
  • 100 students representing 7 Franklin County School Districts, 1 Private School and 4 Charter Schools;

  • 79% of our students are Columbus City School district students;

  • A majority of our students are in the 9th Grade;

  • 9: 8th graders -- 41: 9th graders -- 36: 10th graders and 2: 12th graders

  • 59% of our students are female.

A few new compenents of our City Student TECH CORPS program include:
  • Professional image consulting and presentation skills;
  • Financial management workshop;
  • College and financial aid information;
  • Career Fair with area employers;

Also new this year, during the last week of each month, students are required to come to class in professional work attire. Here are just a few pictures of some of our "Dressed to Impress" students...

Tuesday Class

Wednesday Class
Wednesday Class
Wednesday Class

Thursday Class
Thursday Class




I am going to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to the Wednesday night class! I do believe they take the November Award for Best Dressed Class!



Stay tuned for future SHOUT OUTS!



Ms. Lisa


This innovative program developed by TECH CORPS Ohio and the City of Columbus, Mayor’s Office of Education is funded by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and administered by the FCDJFS.

Friday, August 31, 2007

City Student TECH CORPS is looking for a few good students!

Do you like computers? Are you 14 – 18 years old? Do you live in Franklin County? If you answered “Yes” City Student TECH CORPS is looking for you!!!!

City Student TECH CORPS®, a collaborative project with the City of Columbus Mayor’s Office of Education and TECH CORPS Ohio, provides 100 Franklin County students with 32-weeks of basic technology and soft skills training.

Students who successfully complete the program receive $250 and receive a 10-week summer job (30 hours a week at $7.00/hour) where they can apply the skills they have acquired.

So how do you join City Student TECH CORPS?

Open Registration will be held ONE DAY ONLY!!!! 100 Youth will be registered on a FIRST COME, FIRST REGISTERED BASIS

Wednesday, September 12th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 639 East Long Street

Registration Details:
- Students must be TANF eligible and you must bring proof to register (Copy of Free and/or Reduced Lunch eligibility letter, Ohio Works First Proof of Income (from case manager), proof of income from past 30 days).

- Students and Parents must have Social Security Numbers and you must bring them to register!

- Students must be accompanied by their parent or guardian to register. Parent’s/Guardian’s signature is required.

- Things to bring: student and parent’s social security numbers and proof of TANF eligibility!!!

Program Details:
- Classes start the week of October 1, 2007 and run through June 12, 2008.
- Students attend class just ONE NIGHT per week from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, Monday – Thursday.
- Students will be assigned class night during registration.
- Classes will be held at St. Paul A.M.E. Health and Wellness Center, 639 E. Long Street.
- Students will use the Student TECH CORPS® online training and cover hardware repair, operating systems, software applications, networking, computer peripherals and job-readiness skills (http://www.studenttechcorps.org/).
- Students, who successfully complete the program, by attending at least 90% of the classes and scoring at least 80% of two certification tests, will receive $250.00 completion bonus and a summer job.
- For more information call the City Student TECH CORPS Hotline at 614-645-6593.

Funding for City Student TECH CORPS is from Franklin County Board of Commissioners and administered by the FCDJFS
City Student TECH CORPS
Frequently Asked Questions:


What determines my eligibility for this program?
1. Student must live in Franklin County.
2. Student must be between 14 – 18 years of age at time of registration.
3. Student must be TANF eligible or a member of a family that is TANF eligible.

What is TANF?
TANF or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families also OWF or Ohio Works First is any type of assistance or benefits received from the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services.

How do I verify my TANF Eligibility?
The easiest way to prove your TANF eligibility for this program is to bring a copy of the letter from your school district that states you are eligible for Free/Reduced lunch. If you have not received the letter from your school district – you can request a copy from your school office. Applications for eligibility are NOT an acceptable form of proof.

You can also verify your TANF Eligibility if you receive or are a member of a family that receives Ohio Works First (OWF) cash payments. To verify bring copies of at least one of the following:
o OWF – Proof of Income (can request from the case manager)
o Benefits award letter or copy of OWF check
o Copy of work/training/education schedule
§ This individual needs to have eligibility determined based upon household income
o Paycheck stubs from last 30 days (four weeks)
o Letter from employer on letterhead or statement with company stamp detailing the customer’s gross income for the last 30 days
o Child Support Court Order — printout from child support or pay slips
o Benefits award letter or copy of check
o Self-employed – copy of last income tax statement divided by 12 to calculate the last 30 days of income. If recently self-employed and has not filed taxes, then use official records or bookkeeper’s name and phone number.
o Rental Income (statement from tenant or lease agreement)
o Zero Income—attach a statement from applicant documenting other mean of support including name, address, and phone number of the individual providing support to the family.

What will students learn and experience in the City Student TECH CORPS program?
City Student TECH CORPS is an innovative program developed by TECH CORPS Ohio and the City of Columbus, Mayor’s Office of Education. This program provides 100 students with 32 weeks of computer and employment soft skills training. Tech-savvy instructors work in an informal education environment using the Student TECH CORPS® curriculum (www.studenttechcorps.org) to prepare students for Level I Technical Support Certification and to build their knowledge of Information Technology educational and career pathways. Students who successfully complete the program are assigned a 10-week paid summer internship where they can apply their newly acquired skills in a real-world setting; making the training authentic.

Other components of the program include: team-building and leadership skills; professional image consulting; financial management workshop; college and financial aid information; professional presentation skills; career exploration activities and an opportunity to participate in the TECH CORPS Ohio/NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) Jr. Chapter.

What is expected of City Student TECH CORPS students?
City Student TECH CORPS students are held to a high standard and we have adopted a policy of “zero tolerance” for violent, disruptive and inappropriate behavior. This program is an OPPORTUNITY, not a requirement – a PRIVILEGE, not a handout. We are working to prepare and train these students for employment and experiences in some of Columbus’ most well-known and respect companies. At the very least, City Student TECH CORPS students are expected to:
- Arrive on time and stay through the completion of class.
- Maintain a positive and respectful attitude toward the staff and their peers.
- Come ready to learn and be engaged in the program.
- Attend 90% of the program (Student can have more than three (3) excused or unexcused absences from the program. Any missed days after that will result in expulsion from the program.

Why are students removed from the program if they have more than three (3) excused absences?
The funder for this program REQUIRES that students attend miss no more than 3 days of class. If students do not attend at least 90% of the program, they will NOT receive the $250 completion bonus and they will NOT be eligible for summer employment.

Who are some of the employers that have hosted City Student TECH CORPS students?
AARP, Children’s Hospital, City of Columbus: Department of Technology, Columbus Division of Fire, Columbus Public Schools, Franklin County Treasurer’s Office, HAZ Technologies, Ohio Historical Society, The Ohio House of Representatives, The Ohio State University, Sophisticated Systems, Inc., and the Wexner Center.

What if I am not TANF Eligible?
You can not participate in City Student TECH CORPS but you should contact TECH CORPS Ohio. There may be other programs they offer that may not require TANF eligibility for participation.

City Student TECH CORPS Collaborative Partners:
The City of Columbus Mayor’s Office of Education is an initiative of Mayor Michael B. Coleman. The purpose of the Office of Education is to improve the quality of life in Columbus by:
- Extending and enhancing both educational and developmental opportunities for all citizens of Columbus
- Implementing community-based solutions to support educating children at school to make significant gains in educational achievement

TECH CORPS Ohio is a nonprofit organization that strives for a technologically literate society in which all K-12 students have equal access to the technology programs, resources and skills that will enrich their education and allow them to compete successfully in the global workforce. Student TECH CORPS is a TECH CORPS® National program that delivers core technology training and certification and is designed specifically for middle and high school students. TECH CORPS Ohio works with schools, organizations around the state. For more information about TECH CORPS Ohio go to www.techcorpsohio.org.

Funding for City Student TECH CORPS is from Franklin County Board of Commissioners and administered by the FCDJFS