Project Anchor
Our Children, Our Future
Project Anchor is a partnership between Tallahassee Community College and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FDJJ). The partnership is laser-focused on delivering workforce education and career readiness through instruction at residential facilities and academic and career counseling for committed and transitioning youth. The ultimate goal is to ensure that justice-involved youth have a seamless pathway for continuing their education at a public state or technical college, securing employment, or enlisting in the armed forces. Note the implementation of Project Anchor will be incrementally scaled with the ultimate commitment of delivering services statewide.
Project Anchor Will Provide:
- Career Readiness Skills
- Future Ready badging
- Industry-recognized training and certification in targeted sectors
- Career pathways for youth to continue their education at a Florida college or district postsecondary institution
- Opportunities to pursue work-based learning activities
Get Involved
If you’re a nonprofit, employer or individual interested in the life changing work being done through Project Anchor, we encourage you to reach out to see how you can get involved and partner with us to help create pathways to success for Florida’s youth.
Connect NowFrequently Asked Questions
Question 1: How is Project Anchor funded?
Answer: The partnership is funded through the Department of Juvenile Justice. The funds address direct services to youth that include assessment, career exploration, career training, scholarship/tuition assistance, industry exam certifications, and a host of other services. Additionally, embedded in the Project Anchor service model is support to ensure that participants can apply for federal financial assistance (Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)) as well as work directly with CareerSource Florida (WIOA) system for other support.
Question 2: Can referrals be made directly to the Project Anchor program?
Answer: No, the youth identified for participation in the project are selected by FDJJ and communicated to Project Anchor.
Question 3: How do I get an interested youth enrolled?
Answer: Project Anchor is for residential and aftercare (Conditional Release and Post-Commitment-Probation) youth only. All committed youth over 16 are screened for enrollment. Those youth who are not admitted into one of the three pilot sites (Walton Academy for Growth and Change, Duval Youth Academy, and Everglades Youth Academy) but have an interest in participating in the program should express interest to their Transition Service Manager who would then relay the information to the Office of Residential Services for consideration. However, the ultimate decision rests with FDJJ.
Question 4: Are youth aged 14 or younger eligible for referral to Project Anchor?
Answer: No, youth referred to Project Anchor must be 16 years of age or will be turning 16 within 90 days after enrollment in the program.
Question 5: What is the Myers-Briggs SuperStrong assessment tool?
Answer: The SuperStrong assessment helps students identify their interests and extends their understanding of how interests can support academic and career success with up-to-date data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and Occupational Information Network (O*NET). The assessment takes 5-10 minutes and can be taken via computer, cell phone, tablet, or any other internet-enabled device.
Question 6: At what grade level is the Myers-Briggs assessment written?
Answer: The Myers-Briggs assessment is written at a 6th-grade level.
Question 7: When will the SuperStrong assessment be administered to youth?
Answer: All youth in detention that have been committed to a residential program will be assessed while in detention. Youth already in residential programs or aftercare will be assessed in coordination with Project Anchor staff and the transition service manager or juvenile probation officer.
Question 8: What is a Career Navigator?
Answer: A Career Navigator is a member of the Project Anchor staff with a primary role of working with assigned residential youth at least 30 days prior to release. Career Navigators also assist youth with job placement and enrollment in post-secondary education through one-on-one meetings and the development of tailored success plans.
Question 9: How long will youth continue to receive services from Project Anchor once they’ve been released from a residential program and assigned to aftercare?
Answer: Project Anchor youth who transition from residential to aftercare will be provided services and tracked for up to 180 days.
Question 10: If I am currently working with multiple Project Anchor staff and need to submit documents, is there a common email address that can be used?
Answer: The email address that should be used is projectanchor@tcc.fl.edu. Documents may also be submitted via email to individual Project Anchor staff as communicated in one-on-one meetings.
Thought to Remember
“No one should ever be judged by their worst day.”
To Learn More
Call Us
1 (850) TCC-JOBS