FY24: How Well and Better Off data could not be entered due to data errors and data that included carryover outcomes from the previous fiscal year. 

FY23: The Hope Project is an innovative program, recently contracted with the Department of Family Services, and it's a brand-new initiative for Prince George's County. In the fiscal year 2023, the program encountered some initial challenges in engaging with young adults. During the planning phase, significant attention was given to recruitment, staffing, and program management. Additionally, the team employed a variety of outreach strategies to attract new participants to the CDL (Commercial Driver's License) and IT (Information Technology) programs. This included hosting information sessions, implementing marketing campaigns, and advertising initiatives, all of which were essential as the program was launching in Prince George's County for the first time.

Despite these challenges, the provider exceeded the number of contracted youths to be served. The provider successfully delivered services that proved beneficial to 51 youth, with 15 of them obtaining their IT certifications and 7 achieving their CDL certifications. This represents a remarkable success story. CDL certification and IT licenses opens a wide range of job opportunities in the transportation and technology sectors. They are in high demand, and there is a consistent need for qualified CDL holders and IT certified individuals.

Young individuals who have enrolled in CDL (Commercial Driver's License) and IT (Information Technology) programs are presented with numerous opportunities. Both these sectors provide competitive salaries, job security, flexibility, independence, short training periods, opportunities for career advancement, benefits, ownership prospects, and highly sought-after skills. Incorporating the Hope Project into Prince George’s County has unquestionably been a significant and beneficial decision. The youth who have benefited from this initiative have undoubtedly enhanced not only their own lives but also those of their families and communities.

The Prince George’s hope project will work to connect young adults ages 18 -24 who are not working nor in school to employment through three workforce development components: Information Technology (IT), Unarmed Security Office/Technology Professional and Commercial Vehicle Operator CDL Class A/B.

Based on the interest identified by the youth, they are enrolled in one of the three workforce development certification programs.  Youth receive 200 hours of lab and lecture in person and/or LIVE Instructor led trainings.  Instructor Assistants are assigned to each cohort of 8-10 participants for additional one-on-one assistance and support as the participants navigates through the training materials and prepares for certification.

Prince George’s Hope Project will recruit participates form Central and Southern areas of the County and zip codes 20746 and 20752.