DCF
TOPEKA – Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) announced Wednesday that Chuck Knapp will be the organization’s new president, effective Aug. 1.
JAG-K partners with schools to work with students who have various barriers to graduating, to help the students develop their full potential and get started on a career path past high school. In addition to completing high school, JAG students receive career development training to prepare them for opportunities in employment and further education or training programs that include technical school, apprenticeships and college. The JAG-K graduation rate is 93 percent, which exceeds the overall Kansas graduation rate of 90 percent.
Jobs for America’s Graduates is available in the following communities: Kansas City, Basehor, Atchison, Emporia, Lawrence, Salina, Hoyt, Concordia, Topeka, Junction City, Ft. Riley, Wichita, El Dorado, Arkansas City, Pittsburg, Parsons, Coffeyville, Labette County, Holcomb, Liberal, Garden City, Kingman, Stafford, Pratt, Dodge City, Hutchinson, Kiowa County and Newton.
“Chuck Knapp is a proven leader, who is well-respected throughout Kansas for his ability to work with people to accomplish important goals and objectives,” said JAG-K Board Chairman Kim Borchers. “Chuck’s extensive experience in communications, operations, strategic planning and personnel management will help guide our outstanding team to positively impact even more Kansas students and families.”
Knapp, an Augusta native and 1988 University of Kansas graduate, is excited to join the program.
“I am thrilled to have an opportunity to work for an organization that helps change lives in such a positive way,” said Knapp. “This program not only gets students on a career path—it is putting many of them on a road to success and breaking a generational cycle of poverty.”
Knapp currently serves as chief of staff to Kansas Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer. Knapp has previously held leadership roles in the Kansas Department of Administration and the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). He and his wife Chelle reside in Topeka with their four children.
JAG-K is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that is engaged in 29 Kansas school districts and serves more than 2,500 students. JAG-K is an affiliate of the national JAG program that operates in 32 states. The 35-year old program has assisted more than one million students nationwide. Governor Sam Brownback brought JAG to Kansas in 2013.
JAG-K partners with school districts, DCF and the Kansas State Department of Education. Funding for the program primarily comes from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) dollars, administered by DCF. JAG-K also relies on private funds from contributors such as AT&T, Archer Daniels Midland Company, John Deere, Walmart, Cox Communications and Amerigroup, among others.
For more information about JAG-K, visit www.kansasjag.org.