Opportunity Knocks, a program designed to help students stay in school by helping them find employment, has been awarded the 2009 NACo Achievement Award in the category of Children and Youth.
SCOE, in conjunction with the Department of Human Assistance and various high schools, identifies students who receive public assistance and have a history of being truant from school. The Opportunity Knocks program offers a job to those students who agree to go to school.
The program also offers mentors and, in some cases, ROP (Regional Occupational Program) classes to support the students in their efforts to stay in school. The students may continue in the program as long as they continue to attend school. There are additional incentives for those who have perfect attendance and are in good academic standing.
The program's partners include: Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance, Sacramento Public Library, and Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) One-Stop Career Centers.
The following schools in Sacramento County participate in this program: Grant High School, Encina High School, Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School, Hiram Johnson High School, Florin High School, Foothill High School, Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School, Luther Burbank High School, C.K. McClatchy High School, North Area Community School, John F. Kennedy High School, Cordova High School, Kinney High School, Capitol City Continuation High School, San Juan High School, Mesa Verde High School, Highlands High School, Valley High School.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) is a national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo provides services to the nation's 3,066 counties. NACo's membership totals more than 2,000 counties, representing over 80 percent of the nation's population.
For more information about the Opportunity Knocks program, call (916) 566-2090.