Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas Thanks Colyer for Funding Support
JAG-K STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO LINE-ITEM VETO BY GOVERNOR JEFF COLYER, M.D.
KANSAS (May 16, 2018) – Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) President/CEO Chuck Knapp released the following statement in response to Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D.’s line-item veto of a provision in the Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations Bill that capped the amount of federal funding JAG-K is allowed to receive to support Kansas students facing barriers to success.
“We appreciate Governor Colyer’s support of, not only the public schools and students who benefit from JAG-K now, but also hundreds of additional students that may be served in the near future because of his action today,” said Knapp. “The Kansas Legislature has also been strongly supportive of JAG-K, and we look forward to working with the governor, the legislature, the Kansas Department of Education, the Kansas Department for Children and Families and our community and public school partners in realizing the dream we all have for our children – successful futures.”
Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) is committed to partnering with “at-risk” students to overcome barriers to graduation from high school and prepare them for college or career pathways that will help them reach their full potential. Funding for the program primarily comes from federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) dollars, administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF).
Section 74 (e) of Senate Bill 109 intended to place an expenditure limitation, or cap, upon the funding for JAG-K. Governor Jeff Colyer vetoed this section in its entirety to allow DCF the flexibility to assist more “at-risk” students, given the opportunity.
JAG-K is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. JAG-K currently has 68 programs in 33 Kansas school districts, serving more than 3,100 students. The organization is expanding in 2018-19 to include new programs in Beloit, El Dorado, Goodland, Hays, Independence, Shawnee Mission, and Topeka. JAG-K is also supported by corporate sponsors including, ADM, Aetna Foundation, Amerigroup Foundation, AT&T and John Deere. Organizational partnerships include the Kansas State Department of Education, Kansas Department for Children and Families and 33 Kansas school districts.
###