Career Awareness & Post-Secondary Access

The MASN CAPSA Initiative is the result of a Mott Foundation grant to support the expansion of what was termed “college and career readiness” opportunities in middle school and high school afterschool programs around the state. After working with key strategic partners in forming a Task Force for this initiative, it was determined that Career Awareness and Post-Secondary Access (CAPSA) would best describe this opportunity. Our desire is to expose students to the many career and education opportunities awaiting them after high school through summer enrichment and before/afterschool programing.

MASN offers afterschool programs many options to participate in the CAPSA initiative, including the following:

1. Peer Learning Community (PLC) – This is a group of afterschool professionals working specifically with middle school and high school programs. This group meets regularly through Zoom and face to face at conferences such as MOSAC and MAACCE. Meetings consist of CAPSA resources, sharing of best practices, and discussion concerning the successes/challenges of each program.
2. CAPSA Resource Connections – These are offered through regular communication via PLC, email, the MASN Pipeline Newsletter, and conferences like MOSAC. MASN also has an extensive depository of CAPSA links in the Resource Library.
3. CAPSA Specific Technical Assistance – Mark Cowsert, MASN Assistant Director of Partnerships and Aaron Banks, CAPSA & Entrepreneurship Coordinator are available to support all CAPSA initiative programs. This is in addition to any other Technical Assistance offered to the program through other coaches (i.e., AREs, 220 Leadership, etc.).
4. Youth Summits – MASN has contracted with 220 Leadership and VentureLab as strategic partners in the CAPSA initiative. 220 and VentureLab offer Youth Leadership Summits held at Missouri college campuses, breakout sessions at conferences, resources, and curriculum for CAPSA initiative high school and middle school programs.
5. Missouri Manufacturing Academy – The Missouri Manufacturing Academy is an experience for middle school afterschool programs sponsored by Missouri S&T, Missouri 4-H, Brewer Science, University of Missouri Extension, South Central Regional Professional Development Center, and MASN that launched on April 4, 2023. It is offered to afterschool programs located near Rolla, MO and includes curriculum and field trips that enhance youths’ understanding of careers in the manufacturing industry. The workgroup is planning to expand the offering statewide and look at other industries that would benefit from a similar academy model.