Project CONNECT is a federally funded program sponsored by the Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration Program (RSA). Project partners include a consortium of state organizations, local education agencies, and community-based organizations dedicated to developing career opportunities for individuals who meet eligibiltiy criteria. Among the partners are the Santa Cruz Workforce Development Program/One Stop Center (lead organization), County Board of Supervisors, Arizona Department of Economic Security-Rehabilitative Services Administration, Santa Cruz County Literacy Volunteers Association, Nogales Unified School District, Santa Cruz Training Programs, and the Nogales Housing Authority. The Partnership provides training, job placement, career advancement and ongoing support for at least 490 employable youth and adults, the majority of whom live in the EZ/EC community.
Services address all four invitational priorities: (1) to assist individuals to secure job skills training and employment opportunities through collaboration with the WIA/One Stop Center; (2) to promote the use of alternative work settings, such as flexiplace and telecommuting for individuals; (3) to develop school-to-work employment opportunities for youth to assist students in transition; and (4) to develop literacy programs for PWI consumers with low literacy levels to obtain higher earnings in competitive employment.
Job training areas reflect the job categories identified by the Arizona Economic Development Corporation as the largest growing in Arizona and more specifically in the Santa Cruz region. The business partners of the PWI are those who also have need for those same job areas. The skills specific training at worksites are augmented by classroom activities and support services provided at WIA/One Stop Centers, Literacy Volunteers, Santa Cruz Training Program, among others. Ages of clients range from 16 to over 70, with a large number between 16 to 30 and 45 to 60. The Partnership has extensive experience in job placement services for individuals through its multiple operating programs for state and regional organizations.