The Gallia-Vinton ESC was chosen as an ESC partner for the Teach CS grant program.  House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly allocated $8 million over two fiscal years to support K-12 computer science instruction through the Teach CS Grant Program, established by Section 3333.129 of the Ohio Revised Code. The goal of the Teach CS grant program is “increasing the number of existing teachers who qualify to teach computer science” through supplemental licensure, university endorsement programs, and alternative resident educator licenses. For educators seeking to complete these pathways, the grant funds can be used to cover their coursework, materials, and exams.

Additionally, grant funds can be used for continuing education programs that offer professional development to existing teachers.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) released a Request for Applications on November 1, 2023, for institutions of higher education and educational service centers that sought to partner with ODHE on this important initiative. Six ESCs and 11 colleges and universities were selected to participate. On April 12, 2024, ODHE released a second RFA and additional funding was provided to six of our existing partners to increase their capacity to increase the number of teachers qualified to teach computer science. for more information, contact Emily Crabtree, Thad Haines or Laurel Marion at [email protected] 

Family and Community Partnership Liaison
The Gallia-Vinton ESC has recently learned it has been awarded funds by the Ohio Department of Education to employ a Family and Community Partnership Liaison for the 2020-2021 school year. Gallia-Vinton ESC Consultant Brack Houchens will serve as Family and Community Partnership Liaison in response to the increased needs of school districts and families due to COVID-19. The Family and Community Partnership Liaison will work with school district leaders in their ESC region to build a network of community resources, partners and support services for vulnerable youth and families. Liaisons will soon receive training from the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at the Ohio State University to develop strategies to increase local-level communication, outreach and family engagement specifically for vulnerable youth and families. For more information contact Brack at [email protected].

Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds
The Gallia Vinton ESC has recently learned it has been awarded Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds by the Ohio Department of Education. GEER funds were awarded to Governors as part of the CARES ACT to provide educational agencies with emergency funds needed as a result of COVID-19. The purpose of the funds is to assist schools with providing ongoing educational services to students. GEER funds may also be utilized for carrying out emergency educational services, providing child care and early childhood education, providing social and emotional support, and protecting education-related jobs. For more information, please contact Dr. Denise Shockley at [email protected].

Charting a Course for Economic Mobility and Responsible Parenting Grant Awarded
The Gallia-Vinton ESC in partnership with Gallia County Job & Family Services and the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services Office of Child Support Enforcement has been awarded a grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services entitled, "Charting a Course for Economic Mobility and Responsible Parenting." The three- year grant worth $382,200 is intended to develop interventions to educate teens and young adults about the financial, legal, and emotional responsibilities of parenthood. The primary goal of the grant project is to leverage the child support program’s expertise on the legal and financial responsibilities of parenting to educate and motivate teens and young adults to postpone parenthood until after they have completed their education, started a career, and entered into committed relationship. The target populations are teens and young adults ages 13-25, including unmarried parents and those who have not yet started families. The grant project design will help identify existing public and private entities serving similar populations and establish and/or leverage partnerships to connect educational and motivational programs to additional supportive services promoting economic stability and healthy family formation.

K-12 Prevention Education Initiative for Area Schools
The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) has received a grant to support Prevention Education in the Southeast Region of Ohio. The MVESC is partnering with the Gallia-Vinton ESC and Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) boards to assess prevention needs within the region and provide prevention education training for school personnel in the area school districts.  As part of a "council of practitioners" from a 22-county region, the Gallia-Vinton ESC will be working with the local ADAMHS board to oversee this work.  MVESC has produced a prevention webinar and power-point that will be shared with others to implement.

Gallia-Vinton ESC consultant, Jayne Burger, will be visiting schools in the area member districts served and will be able to either offer informational presentations or will be able to set up virtual sessions for teachers to view informational webinars.  Due to uncertain school schedules including hybrid, virtual, and in-person classes all taking place right now, the work will begin later this winter. The goal is to introduce teachers to prevention strategies and identify ways to connect parents/students to local initiatives already in place. For more information, contact Jayne Burger at [email protected].