Columbus State Community College has developed partnerships with government and community organizations such as Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC)/OhioMeansJobs, Columbus Urban League, and the Ohio Association of Food Banks (OAFB) to assist in participant recruitment. These relationships are key to connecting with transitioning adults, and will positively impact participant outcomes.
Columbus State’s relationship with Ohio Association of Food Banks has been particularly successful. With funding to cover required workforce activities, including training, OAFB welcomes Columbus State staff to attend monthly orientation sessions for clients. Shortly after the partnership was developed, eight participants signed up for training at Columbus State in one day. This trend is expected to continue.
The OAFB was instrumental in the launch of Columbus State’s Maintenance Awareness class. This support, coupled with the hiring of a participant facilitator, has positively impacted grant results by increasing the number of participants enrolled in the Maintenance Awareness class.
The participant facilitator guides each potential participant through the admissions process and encourages participant retention. Ohio TechNet considers this to be a replicable program that may benefit transitioning adults in other regions of the state.
