Page 28 - April Report2022

April Report 2022
Grant Program Committee meeting minutes (6)
for success. He would like to get a point in the future in which all eligible students could receive
funding. Steve and Melissa were thanked, and they left the meeting.
During a brief discussion, the Committee expressed that if FLC wants to continue fundraising after the endowment is complete, it might be possible for JSF to continue helping.
The Committee approved an application from Fort Lewis College requesting $1 million over 5 years with a 1:1 match to build a scholarship endowment for Indigenous business students.
e. Institute of American Indian Arts endowment
A report from a January 24, 2022 videoconference had been circulated. IAIA plans to submit an LOI for a matching grant to create a $600,000 endowment for scholarships and funding for a person to administer the program. JSF began funding IAIA to help Indigenous artists learn to market their artwork. However, excessive turnover within the school’s administration over the years has prevented this program from maximizing its potential. Recently the program moved under the oversight of the Department of Museum studies, which could strengthen it. The need for a full-time person was discussed. IAIA contends that the person will not only administer scholarships but also seek other partnering opportunities, oversee internships and possibly teach a class, among other duties. It was noted that a representative from First Peoples Fund will be joining the Museum Studies program, which could help with stability. Also, funding a position could assist with reducing turnover. If funded, IAIA should spell out the specific duties of the position.
The Committee directed staff to continue discussions with IAIA about building an endowment for scholarships and possibly a person to administer the program.
10. Disability programing a. PACKS program
Malcolm greeted Dr. Kris Webb, who appeared via Zoom. A paper by Kris on the Professional Advice, Career Knowledge, Support (PACKS) program had been circulated. Her PACKS presentation at the Disability Convening in December was received positively by Directors. Since that time, JSF has engaged her as a Consultant to this project. She has consulted with staff, King and Bea to develop this concept, which will be the first time it will be implemented as a whole. Kris will work with Staff to identify and evaluate potential partner schools, facilitate the LOI and Application development and potentially consult during the implementation of the program. The partner institution would be invited to submit an LOI, and if approved, an application for consideration by the Committee.
Kris proposed both the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University as potential pilot locations. She added that the institutions’ feeder State Colleges should be involved as well because that is a typical educational pathway for students with disabilities. She said hiring a PACKS Specialist would be high on the list of priorities and could be a way the university can have skin in the game. A list of evaluation components would be developed in conjunction with the institution. She feels it would be important to recruit professionals from the community to serve as mentors. To help with recruiting students, she suggested both financial incentives and the creation of a credential that could be included on a participant’s diploma, transcript or résumé. Because the program represents a commitment in the range of $150,000 to $200,000 per year, finding the right partner is critical. Kris expressed confidence in the success of the program because it incorporates elements that are known to be successful. Work experiences, whether in the form of job shadowing, mentoring or internships, are all good indicators of success.
Kris was asked why she didn’t consider UNF, the institution where she formerly worked, for the
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