FRANKLIN, Ind. — Earlywood Educational Services and Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance have joined forces to create a partnership with the goal of building a local K-12 talent pipeline for employers. The partnership, which is fueled by a state grant, will fund a pair of full-time positions and a workforce initiative.
Earlywood is a special education cooperative providing school districts in Johnson County with comprehensive programs and services for students with disabilities.
A $551,000 grant was awarded to the partnership to boost school-to-work pathways with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. The Explore, Engage, and Experience (3E) grant from the Indiana Department of Education covers the period July 1, 2022, through September 2023.
The 3E grant also will fund a new Enabled Workforce Initiative, which will train local employers on how “to support students with disabilities in meaningful experiential learning opportunities and to become valued employees.”
