The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. The Census Bureau collects information through the decennial census, the American Community Survey, the economic census, and many other surveys.
Federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties, and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race, and other factors. People in your community use Census Bureau data in all kinds of ways such as these:
Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life, and consumer advocacy.
Businesses use the Census Bureau data to decide where to build factories, office, and stores, and these create jobs.
Local government officials use the census to ensure public safety and plan new schools and hospitals.
Real estate developers and city planners use the census to plan new homes and improve neighborhoods.
As you also know, the greatest need of a young adult in foster care is for the guidance and support of committed adults as they navigate into adulthood without a traditional family network to rely upon. This summer Embrace Families has the opportunity to address both of those needs.
The attached document describes a summer apprenticeship program being developed by Embrace Families, with the express purpose of introducing qualified youth (ages 16-19) who have come through the foster care system to careers in industries that are skilled and high-paying but don’t necessarily require college degrees. We're hoping that with your help we can help identify willing participants who want an apprentice in construction, electrical, crane operator, mechanical, shoe cobbler or… any sort of job that may interest a young mind. (Those are just a couple ideas that come to mind.)
One of the great things about this program is that it is already funded. Embrace Families is working with CareerSource, and funds have been designated to pay a wage to participating youth for up to 40-hours of work a week. While we are asking employers to help with a modest stipend to address transportation and other incidental needs of participants, the cost of involvement is relatively low. On the other hand, the benefit of introducing a career path opportunity to a foster youth could pay substantial dividends for all involved.
Amber Barrett is coordinating this program and is searching for employers who are interested in hosting an intern this summer. Please see attached for details about the program and contact Amber.Barrett@EmbraceFamilies.org if you have any questions and/or are interested in hosting an intern.
Dr. Jerry D. Parrish is the Chief Economist and the Director of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation. In that role, he is responsible for conducting in-depth analyses on the Florida economy and on solutions to help secure Florida’s future. Dr. Parrish previously was the Chief Economist and Director of the Center for Competitive Florida at Florida TaxWatch. Prior to that position, he served as the Associate Director of the Center for Economic Forecasting & Analysis (CEFA) at Florida State University and has many years of experience in the private sector in management roles at international manufacturing companies. Dr. Parrish is currently an Adjunct Instructor in the Masters in Applied Economics Program at Florida State University. He earned a B.S. in Agricultural Business and Economics from Auburn University, an M.B.A. from Bellarmine University, an M.S. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Auburn University. He regularly publishes research reports and articles on the Florida economy and Florida’s competitiveness.
An Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Jewett is an expert in Florida politics, American government, and local politics. He will be talking about the upcoming 2018 election in Florida. Dr. Jewett, a professor at UCF since 1995, is the co-author of “Politics in Florida which is now in its 4th edition. Dr. Jewett is a frequent expert media source and his comments have appeared thousands of times in local, state, national, and international news sites including on every continent but Antarctica.
Dr. Dale Brill serves as senior vice president of research and community development for the Orlando Economic Partnership (the Partnership). The Partnership serves as Central Florida’s catalyst driving regional economic prosperity. Most recently, Dale served public and private sector clients in pioneering innovative policy and strategy frameworks as a principal with Thinkspot, a Florida-based consultancy. Prior to launching Thinkspot, Dale served as president of the Florida Chamber Foundation, the public policy research, and development division under the umbrella of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. His experience includes public service as the director of the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida. His marketing background includes tenure as a chief marketing officer for Visit Florida, during which the Sunshine State’s tourism marketing corporation earned the “Atlas Award for Best Destination Branding” from the Association of Travel Marketing Executives. Dale also served as General Motor’s first Dean of e-Commerce and as a global business leader for General Motors-Europe. Dale has been recognized by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) as one of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds and selected among the inaugural class of Fast Company magazine’s “Fast 50 Innovators.”
