Goal: Every adult has the education, training, and skills to obtain a career that can sustain a family.
5 Year SMART Target
Increase the educational attainment of Muscatine County residents with only a high school diploma or equivalent by 250 individuals, from 11,351 to 11,601 by 2025.
*Census ACS 2018 5 year estimates
The adult success team works collaboratively to create opportunities for adults to get the education and/or training they need to obtain financially stable employment. The group identified the need to have better coordination between organizations that are providing support to adults. The meetings of this group serve as a solution-focused social service team. Agency employees bring anonymous client opportunities and challenges to the meetings. The ability to have community organizations work together in one meeting will allow us to more holistically address needs and identify system issues that need to be addressed.
The team also identifies system barriers for clients. The group identified that transportation to HiSET classes is a barrier for many clients. The group is piloting using community Almoner Funds to pay for bus passes for clients taking HiSET classes. The group will monitor progress to determine if this is an effective practice to support people in completing the HiSET program.
AIM is also a partner for the Fueling the Future project alongside MCSA, the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, Muscatine Community College, United Way of Muscatine, UnityPoint, and the City of Muscatine. Fueling the Future targets adults in low-income families of elementary-aged children receiving weekend “backpack” food subsidies in Muscatine County. It engages them in a six-week intensive”earn while you learn” upskill training. This multi-stepped program will stabilize emergent family issues; education for the custodial adults in high-demand jobs; long-term advancement of skilled workers in the community; and a stronger next-generation Iowa workforce. An HRSA grant funds the program through MCSA and many local partners. To learn more about Fueling the Future, visit fuelingthefutureiowa.org.
Adult Success Team:
1st Five
City of Muscatine Public Housing
Diversity Services Center of Iowa
Fueling the Future
Iowa Probation
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services
IowaWorks
Mothers Mentoring and Support Program
Muscatine Center for Social Action
Muscatine Community College
Muscatine County Community Services
Promise Jobs
Riverbend Transit
The Salvation Army of Muscatine County
UnityPoint Trinity Muscatine Public Health