 Indiana's JAG program continues to excel by again winning top honor
INDIANAPOLIS (July 11, 2019) – Indiana’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program continues to shine as a national leader among its peers, earning a prestigious award for the fifth consecutive year.
JAG Indiana, which is administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), received the “5 of 5” Award July 10 at a national JAG conference in Orlando, Florida. The award recognized the Indiana program for exceeding five goals set at the national level relating to graduation rates, post-secondary education, job placement and other significant milestones.
“The Jobs for America’s Graduates program impacts the lives of young people in an extraordinary way, and I’m thrilled to see Indiana’s proven results honored with the ‘5 of 5’ Award,” Gov. Eric J. Holcomb said. “Indiana leads the nation with more JAG programs (139) than any other state, and by helping students complete their high school diplomas, we keep young Hoosiers on the path to lifelong success.”
JAG Indiana’s achievements for the 2018-19 school year include:
- 96% graduation rate (national goal is 90%);
- 74% job placement, including military (national goal is 60%);
- 90% positive outcome rate, meaning either landing a job, joining the military or going on to post-secondary education (national goal is 80%);
- 92% full-time placement (national goal is 80%);
- 79% in full-time jobs (national goal is 60%).
In addition, 77 individual JAG programs statewide achieved “5 of 5”, a state record; and all 12 DWD regions throughout Indiana earned “5 of 5” awards for the second consecutive year.
“The JAG Indiana program continues to soar to new heights with a fifth consecutive 5 of 5 award, and we are so proud of how it is helping Hoosier youths find success,” said Brianna Morse, DWD’s director of youth initiatives. “The dedicated JAG staff around the state work tirelessly year-round to transform the lives of their students in and out of the classroom, and it’s those relationships that make all the difference.”
JAG is a state-based, national not-for-profit organization active in 35 states that assists high school students by helping them overcome academic challenges and achieve graduation.
JAG Indiana has grown to be the largest affiliate in the national network, with 139 programs statewide. Gov. Holcomb, who recently served as chairman of JAG’s National Board of Directors, has a goal of expanding the program throughout the state. Since 2006, more than 30,000 students have participated in JAG Indiana with 95 percent graduating from high school.
Last school year, more than $35 million in scholarship money was awarded to JAG Indiana students, another record and best in the nation.
 Brianna Morse (left), DWD's Director of Youth Initiatives, and Leslie Crist, DWD's Associate Chief of Workforce Programs, accept the "5 of 5" Award from national JAG President and CEO Kenneth M. Smith.
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About the Indiana Department of Workforce Development
DWD serves the worker and the employer to ensure workplace success. DWD is committed to innovating and invigorating Indiana’s economic future by providing WorkOne Career Centers, Unemployment Insurance, Labor Market Information, Regional Workforce Strategies and Professional Training. Through these services, DWD is able to develop a premier workforce that enables Indiana employers to flourish and entices businesses from outside our state to relocate to Indiana.
For additional information, contact:
Scott Olson, 317-234-8576, solson@dwd.in.gov
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