In the 2009-2010 school year, the Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board launched a region-wide initiative, called Destination Graduation, focused on increasing graduation rates in Southwest Florida. The program is designed to provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services, such as mentoring, academic enrichment, work readiness and other workforce development services to high school students who, for various reasons, are unmotivated and/or unsuccessful and are identified as at-risk based on criteria such as economically disadvantaged, basic skills deficient, chronic absenteeism, juvenile justice issues, and/or foster care. The desired end result is to keep students in school and increase the high school graduation rate. A trained Workforce Board staff mentor is based in each of the high schools being served, where they are able to assist their students achieve academic goals and discover an interest in many career fields to include science, technology, engineering, and math.
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- This Southwest Florida program is unique in the state of Florida and is expanding to more and more schools every year.
- Currently the program is at an overall 91% graduation rate. 596 of our High School Seniors graduated with a High School Diploma since program inception 2010.
- Of the 2017 graduates, 48% are attending college, 6% are starting technical training, 3% are joining the military, and 43% are working full-time.
- Destination Graduation has grown from two schools in one county to fifteen schools in five counties serving 375 students.
Young people are the fabric of this country’s progress and future economy and CareerSource Southwest Florida is focused on providing youth with the work readiness skills and preparation they’ll need to compete in the local and global job market.
Applying for Destination Graduation
To apply for the Destination Graduation Program please click on the following link to access the Destination Graduation Program Application. Please email or deliver the completed form to your selected school contact as indicated on the application form.
Still have questions? Simply click on this link, Destination Graduation Program Fact Sheet, for more information.
Or, if you prefer, contact Thais Kuoman at 239-225-2500, extension 5232.
Destination Graduation Video – Class of 2017
