Scott County Community Foundation board member Janie Alexander, far right, presents a grant for $55,000 to teacher Bobby Ashley, Scottsburg High School principal Jeff Cox and Austin High School principal Dr. Ryan Herald.
Scott County Community Foundation (SCCF) is pleased to announce a $55,000 grant to continue the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program at both Scottsburg and Austin high schools during the 2026-2027 school year. The grant was awarded through a Community Support Grant funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.
JAG is a workforce readiness program that helps high school students, especially those facing barriers or adverse life experiences, graduate and successfully transition into careers, higher education, or military service. The program provides adult mentoring, hands-on learning experiences, employability training, and one year of post-graduation follow-up to help students achieve long-term success.
Students develop practical life and career skills including résumé writing, interviewing, financial literacy, public speaking, networking, phone etiquette, teamwork, responsibility, personal care, laundry, auto maintenance, and resilience.
According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, JAG students achieved a 97 percent graduation rate in 2024, with 85 percent of graduates either employed, enrolled in higher education or serving in the military. Due to the program’s success, the number of JAG programs across Indiana doubled under former Gov. Holcomb. However, state revenue shortfalls later resulted in the elimination of funding for approximately 250 JAG programs in Indiana effective Dec. 31, 2025.
Locally, Scottsburg High School was able to continue its program through the end of the 2025-2026 school year, while Austin High School was forced to discontinue its program for the spring semester.
Earlier this year, SCCF received a $750,000 Community Support Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to address pressing local needs and improve quality of life in Scott County. Through community listening sessions, Foundation staff and board members heard firsthand about the impact of state and federal funding cuts on local organizations. It was there that the plight of the JAG program was brought to light, leading SCCF to award funding to sustain the program for an additional school year. The grant will support a shared JAG specialist serving both Scottsburg and Austin high schools, an innovative partnership that allows the program to continue in both communities despite the loss of state funding.
“In today’s world, JAG is more important than ever,” said Scottsburg High School Principal Jeff Cox. “It provides the opportunity for students to get training in the job skills that employers crave. Having this class in our school is vital for the success of many kids, and we are grateful to the Scott County Community Foundation for helping bring it back for another year.”
“Austin High School is thrilled to have a JAG program back for the 2026-27 school year,” said Austin High School Principal Dr. Ryan Herald. “I was very dismayed when funding for the program abruptly quit this past school year. JAG does what many outside the education world claim they want education to do, prepare kids for the ‘real world.’ So when Indiana stopped funding the program it left many scratching their heads. The Scott County Community Foundation has stepped up in a mighty way. JAG students in Scott County will be able to continue to gain valuable skills to prepare themselves for college, the workforce, or the military. Austin High School is grateful to the Foundation for this opportunity for our students to be successful with a continued JAG Program.”
There are currently 47 students enrolled at Scottsburg High School and 27 students enrolled at Austin High School, with enrollment expected to continue growing. The grant will ensure that students at both schools continue to receive the workforce preparation, mentoring, and life skills training that have made JAG one of Indiana’s most successful career readiness programs despite the loss of state funding.
“With Indiana’s new diploma requirements emphasizing workforce readiness, the JAG program serves as a critical pipeline connecting students with employers,” said SCCF Executive Director Jaime Toppe. “We were impressed with the success of our local programs, where 117 students were enrolled last year and achieved graduation rates that exceeded the state average. We are especially grateful that both high schools were willing to partner by sharing a JAG specialist so students at both schools can continue benefiting from the program this upcoming school year. Our hope is that the State recognizes the tremendous value of JAG and restores funding in its next budget cycle. We are thankful to Lilly Endowment Inc. for providing the resources that made this grant possible.”
