Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast has been named a Workforce Innovation Fund grantee by the Texas Workforce Commission. The grant, awarded for approximately $250,000, supports programs that address workforce challenges and create opportunities for local families.
The Workforce Innovation Fund, administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, is a competitive grant program that enables Texas Local Workforce Development Boards to apply for funding to support innovative and effective initiatives that help employers, workers, and communities thrive in the labor market.
With this funding, Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast will launch a family-centered initiative that serves parents and children together. Parents will participate in short-term, employer-informed career programs in Information Technology and Healthcare, gaining skills and industry-recognized credentials for high-demand jobs. At the same time, their children receive academic tutoring, enrichment activities, and structured support to stay engaged and succeed in school.
Families will also benefit from wraparound services, including behavioral health coaching, technology access, and family engagement activities, helping them thrive both at home and at work.
In 2026, the program will guide up to 48 parents and 100 children through cohort-based training. Parents will work toward career readiness, earn industry-recognized credentials, and prepare for job placement, while their children benefit from tutoring, enrichment, and structured support to thrive academically and personally.
Parents will explore IT and Healthcare career pathways aligned with regional workforce needs and earn certificates and competency badges that support continued education or employment.
“This grant recognizes the power of innovation, partnership, and a holistic approach to workforce development that advances economic mobility,” said Juliet K. Stipeche, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board. “LaToya Casimere’s strategic leadership of Hire Gulf Coast Youth, combined with EDSI’s creative approach, was instrumental in developing a winning proposal that supports intergenerational mobility while preparing parents and youth for long-term career success.”
The program is designed to help families succeed with the skills and credentials they need for in-demand careers, while giving children the support and guidance to thrive academically. Together, these efforts aim to strengthen families and build a resilient, future-ready workforce for the Gulf Coast region.
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