News & Events

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College & Career Resources

Florida College Access Network Wants You to Get Cash for College

Florida College Access Network (FCAN), a state-level partner to Future Ready Collier, has launched its Cash for College initiative. The program encourages anyone thinking about post-high school education to finish their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA is the most direct and inclusive way for postsecondary students to apply for and receive funding for school. This includes federal financial aid as well as consideration for other scholarships and grants.

Posted by Caroline Ridgway
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Early Learning Resources

Helping Kindergarteners Through COVID

Schools and students nationwide have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among obvious indicators, kindergarten enrollment is down across the country. Rural and urban areas, and crossing sociodemographic categories, have been touched by this trend. There are potentially multiple reasons why. Why it has happened, however, is no less important than how we plan for what’s next. Future Ready Collier and its partners are aware of these concerns, and are taking steps to help.

Posted by Caroline Ridgway
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Resources

Future Ready Collier Introduces New Website Resources

As a community-based collective impact network, Future Ready Collier appreciates the critical importance of having the right information, at the right time, in the hands of the people who need it. Recently, Future Ready Collier undertook major website reorganization. The new Resources pages enable users to more easily find what is useful to them. Web pages are specific to Family Resources, Partner Resources, and Reports and Data.

Posted by Caroline Ridgway
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Resources

Mental Health Resources in Collier County

Future Ready Collier regularly brings together community representatives to ensure the network is aware of the most pressing regional needs. A theme throughout this last 12-month period, since the earliest onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been the threat to Southwest Floridians’ mental health. Stakeholders agree this is an urgent priority.

Posted by Caroline Ridgway
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News Resources

January Updates, Opportunities and Deadlines

If it feels like 2020 rolled right into 2021 without a break in the action, you would not be alone. But there are important updates and deadlines that come along with the new year! Read more for news from Collier County Public Schools about school registrations, as well as separate critical upcoming scholarship deadlines, and FAFSA information.

Posted by Caroline Ridgway
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College & Career News Resources

Congratulations! You Might Already Have Your AA Degree Through Reverse Transfer.

A special contribution from the FutureMakers Coalition with Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) to the Fort Myers News-Press wants students on track to finish their associate’s degree that they may already have earned that credential. As students transfer from FSW to FGCU to pursue a bachelor’s degree, they may think any progress towards an AA is left behind. These schools want you to know, that’s not the case.

Posted by Caroline Ridgway
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College & Career Partner Profiles Resources

Preparing Our Florida Workforce

State, regional, and local initiatives share information about the value of pursuing post-high school education or training. Data show that newer jobs demand higher levels of training and education. Systemic challenges like COVID-19 make existing strains more evident. A well-educated workforce connects to a robust economy, and workers benefit throughout their careers. Many partners come together to help with preparing our Florida workforce.

Posted by Caroline Ridgway
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News Partner Profiles

The Immokalee Foundation: Creating Pathways to Success

Founded in 1991, The Immokalee Foundation’s core charge is to build pathways to success for Immokalee’s children by connecting opportunity with accountability, linked by empowerment. During its history, the organization has steadily expanded its programmatic footprint, offering more services in-house in addition to its early legacy of fundraising. As a partner within Future Ready Collier, The Immokalee Foundation is in lockstep with efforts to ensure students know about, and are facilitated to access, a range of academic, career, and life choices.

Posted by Caroline Ridgway
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College & Career Events Resources

FAFSA Information Sessions and Online Tutorials

A primary interest of Future Ready Collier is helping all young people graduate from high school with a plan for their future. Whatever your expectations or hopes, it’s smart to be sure you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early in your senior year as possible. Filling out the FAFSA gives you the greatest flexibility in getting and using financial aid and scholarships for any sort of post-high school education and training. Read more to register for free virtual FAFSA information sessions held in November and December.

Posted by Caroline Ridgway