$8 Million Grant to Benefit East and North Bay Students, Communities, Businesses

The California Department of Education has announced the grant recipients of its $250 million Career Pathways Trust program. 

Serving as the lead fiscal agency for Diablo Gateways to Innovation Consortium, the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) was notified on Friday that they would receive $8 million in grant funds requested.  

The State’s Career Pathways Trust program is designed to keep students in school and moving them toward these three college and high-demand fields: advanced manufacturing and engineering, information communication technology, and health science. 

Grants from the Trust will go toward innovative programs and partnerships linking rigorous academics to career pathways in high-need and high-growth sectors of the economy. 

Through curriculum that’s relevant to career interests, students are engaged, less likely to drop out of school, and more prepared for life after graduation. There will also be a significant boost to local, regional, and state economies by providing business and industry with skilled workers. 

CCCOE’s Director of Student Programs Janet Haun said that along with the $8 million in grant funds, nearly $27,000,000 in matching funds has been pledged by the Diablo Gateways to Innovation Consortium’s education partners. 

In addition, close to $9 million in matching funds were also pledged by the Consortium’s business and community partners. 

“The economy is growing in our area, as well as statewide,” said Haun. “But there are not enough educated and trained workers to be able to fill those job opportunities. With this grant, we will be able to strengthen existing programs and create new career and college readiness programs that will lead to high-skilled and high-earning careers.”

The Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., received a phone call of congratulations from California State Superintendent of Schools Tom Torlakson, thanking him for participating in this unprecedented grant program. 

Dr. Ovick said, “We are delighted for all members of our Diablo Gateways to Innovation Consortium to receive this opportunity, and we will work diligently to create a positive impact on our youth and their future.”

The Trust opened up grant proposals in mid January of this year. Officials reported that they received more than 100 eligible applications requesting some $709 million in funding. This one-time, three-year-funded grant selected recipients through a rigorous process that included detailed and thoroughly reviewed applications and panel interviews.  

During the upcoming weeks, the CCCOE will be receiving information from the California Department of Education regarding the official grant award notification, payment schedule, and reporting requirements. 

Grant recipients will receive 50 percent of their award this year, 35 percent in year two, and 15 percent in year three.

Diablo Gateways to Innovation Consortium for the California Career Pathways Trust grant:

Education Partners:

Contra Costa County Office of Education (Lead Fiscal Agency)

Cal State East Bay Gateways STEM Initiative

Contra Costa Community College District

Diablo Valley College

Los Medanos College

Las Positas College

Solano Community College
Antioch Unified School District

Benicia Unified School District

Dublin Unified School District

John Swett Unified School District

Liberty Union High School District

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

Martinez Unified School District

Mt. Diablo Unified School District

Pittsburg Unified School District

Pleasanton Unified School District

San Ramon Valley Unified School District

Contra Costa County ROP

Tri-Valley ROP 

Community and Business Partners:

Alameda Workforce Investment Board

Workforce Investment Board of Contra Costa County

Lawrence Livermore National Lab

Dow Chemical

East Bay Economic Development Alliance

Contra Costa Economic Partnership

East Bay Leadership Council

Phillips 66

Health Workforce Initiative

PG&E

Bayer

Delta Diablo Sanitation District

Hattich Contracting

Antioch Chamber of Commerce

Career Ladders Network

Linked Learning

College and Career Academy Support Network

--Info submitted by Jonathan B. Lance of the Contra Costa County Office of Education.