Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Career Pathway Support Networks

Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Career Pathway Support Networks is sponsored by Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and Ohio Department of Higher Education. Establishes Career Pathway Support Networks to increase student access to career-connected learning.

Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Career Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & WORKFORCE AND OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), seeks applications to establish Career Pathway Support Networks for the FY26-27 biennium. In FY26 ($3,109,572. 60) and FY27 ($4,000,000.

00) grant funds will be awarded to establish Career Pathway Support Networks in each JobsOhio region to increase the number of students with affective access to career-connected learning. These grant funds shall be used to directly support career services provided to students enrolled in community schools, STEM schools, school districts, including joint vocational school districts, and affiliated higher education institutions.

This support may include the purchase of equipment. Applicants must prepare applications with the following sections: 1. Proposed approach/significant activities designed to address each goal and defined deliverables of the Career Pathway Support Network.

2. Summary of relevant work history, experiences, and partnerships of the applicant related to the goals of the Career Pathway Support Network. 3.

Overall staffing plan, including resumes of key personnel, list of key contacts, and copies of partnership agreements/commitments/MOUs. 4. Locations of facilities/institutions where staff members and partnerships are based.

5. Detailed budget narrative aligned to application activities and expenses (Use the Object Codes in the Uniform School Accounting System guide to identify expense areas.) • Request for application release date: August 13, 2025 • Submission deadline: September 17, 2025 • Application review period: September-October 2025 • Notification of awards: October 30, 2025 Interested parties may submit questions to Ryan Curtis ( Ryan.

Curtis@education. ohio. gov ), regarding the application through September 4; answers to these inquiries will be posted on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s website.

All awarded grantees are expected to sign a statement of grant assurances, which will include the requirement to submit regular grant activities reports. Applications should be submitted by email as an Adobe PDF file to the Office of Career-Technical Education ( CTE@education. ohio.

gov ). 1 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances THE GOALS OF THE CAREER PATHWAY SUPPORT NETWORKS: With direction from the regional steering committee through collaboration among Career-Technical Planning Districts, workforce partners, postsecondary partners, and all other regional stakeholders, the Career Pathway Support Networks will: 1.

Increase access to, and participation in middle grades (7-10) career-technical education courses at all Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in the region. 2. Ensure direct services to LEAs for all students to access high-quality career advising and mentoring.

3. Lead regional planning for efficient and effective delivery of career connected learning aligned to workforce demand. 4.

Build and foster relationships between education, business and community partners in the region to support new career-technical education instructors and administrators. The regional steering committee shall be appointed in partnership with the Department of Education and Workforce and shall approve the regional workforce plan, budget narratives for grant related activities, and career-technical program applications for the region.

Regional steering committees should include representation from: • Career-Tech Planning District Leads; • Local Education Agency leaders; • Postsecondary Perkins recipients; • Key regional business leaders; • Key workforce development partners (JobsOhio, workforce boards, chamber of commerce, etc.); • Key regional community partners; and • Other organizations the Career Pathway Support Network deems relevant.

Steering Committees should have between 10-20 members and an outline of the proposed steering committee should be included within the application. Applications may have placeholders for steering committee representatives or may have individuals named. The Department reserves the right to amend and/or approve steering committees.

Required Outcomes for Goal 1 - Increase access to, and participation in middle grades (7-10) career-technical education courses at all LEAs in the region: • Provide professional learning and technical assistance for regional education partners on the implementation of middle grades career focused learning.

• Identify districts with limited to no middle grade career-technical education courses and develop a local action plan on the specific needs of the district. • Facilitate professional learning and technical assistance opportunities as determined by regional needs. • Maintain and grow the number of career-technical education instructors in the region who are within their first three years of teaching.

2 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances Required Outcomes for Goal 2 - Ensure direct services to LEAs for all students to access high-quality career advising and mentoring. : • Evaluate district career advising plans to ensure the implementation and scaling of quality practices.

• Provide professional learning and technical assistance opportunities for education partners in the region on career advising. • Establish a mentoring framework between LEAs, business, and industry partners to develop workforce pipelines within the region through shadowing, work-based learning, and cooperative placement. • Establish and maintain a directory of career advising and mentoring professionals within the region.

• Facilitate the networking of career advising and mentoring professionals.

Required Outcomes for Goal 3 – Lead regional planning for efficient and effective delivery of career connected learning aligned to workforce demand through collaboration among Career-Technical Planning Districts, workforce partners, post-secondary partners, and all other regional stakeholders: • Assess, develop, and publish, a regional plan with stakeholders that identifies local needs by December 31, 2026.

o Analyze regional and local labor market data to identify opportunities and needs for career-technical education pathways and assist education partners in planning programs to address the opportunities and needs. o Provide quarterly professional learning opportunities based on state, regional and/or local labor market data.

• Upon request, assist eligible Perkins recipients in the region with completion of the Perkins V Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment and Local Application process, with an emphasis on data and root cause analysis.

• Assist education, community, and business partners in the region to review and update available career-technical education pathways (including programs of study, College Credit Plus opportunities, CTAGs, ITAGs, bilateral articulation agreements, partnership agreements, industry recognized credentials, integrated academics, etc.).

o Assist LEAs in establishing clearly defined “on and off ramps” or opportunities for continuing education and training. o Assist LEAs in communicating available pathways to students, families and current members of the workforce. • Assist LEAs in the region with submitting CTE-26 applications for high-quality career-technical education pathways and programs.

o Partner with Office of Career-Technical Education staff to process CTE-26 applications for approval.

3 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances Required Outcomes for Goal 4 – Establish and maintain relationships among education, business, and community partners in the region to support new career-technical education instructors and administrators: • Facilitate professional learning and technical assistance opportunities in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and Ohio Department of Higher Education.

o Potential topics may include but are not limited to: career awareness and exploration, integrated academics, credit flexibility policies, integrated coursework and awarding simultaneous credit, career-technical student organization programming and implementation, graduation seals, WebXams, industry recognized credentials, E2E in career-technical education, Methods of Administration process.

• Communicate with education partners in the region regarding CTAV and the process for students to access CTAG credit. • Support the growth of higher education partners’ compliance with CTAG and ITAG approvals.

> **Professional learning and technical assistance specific to serving students with disabilities in career-technical education shall be offered in collaboration and partnership with the State Support Team Career-Technical Planning District consultants.

Grant Application Window Opens August 13, 2025 Grant Webinar – Join Here August 27, 2025, 11am -12pm Grant Application Window Closes September 17, 2025 Reviewers Score Norming Meeting Week of September 22, 2025 Reviewer Scores Due Week of October 3, 2025 Review Consensus Meeting Week of October 6, 2025 Review of All Scores Week of October 13, 2025 Award Letters/Denial Letters October 30, 2025 On boarding of Grant Awardees October 31, 2025 New CPSN Start Date November 1, 2025 4 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances 5 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Career Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications Assurances The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Higher Education, seeks applications to establish Career Pathway Support Networks.

Over the FY26-27 biennium, $7,109,572. 60 in grant funds will be awarded to establish Career Pathway Support Networks in the seven JobsOhio regions to increase the number of students with affective access to career-connected learning.

These grant funds shall be used to directly support career services provided to students enrolled in community schools, STEM schools, school districts, including joint vocational school districts, and affiliated higher education institutions. This support may include the purchase of equipment.

Applicants may be submitted only as a partnership of public and private entities consisting of at least the following: (1) A city, exempted village, local, or joint vocational school district or educational service center; (2) Higher education entities; (3) Business organizations. DEW will award up to seven (7) grants.

Regional Career Pathway Support Networks grants will be awarded in the following JobsOhio regions: Northwest, Northeast, East, West, Central, Southeast, and Southwest (see Regional Profile Attachment). Eligible applicants may submit for one or multiple regional grants.

Each grant resulting from this Request for Application(“RFA”) will be for a term anticipated to begin on November 1, 2025, and end DEW reserves the right to approve all subgrantees. A subgrantee is defined as non-employee direct, purchased personnel services and related incidental expenses, including travel. The applicant will maintain continuity of staffing throughout the course of the grant agreement as described in the application.

All changes in staff require 14-day advanced written notification (as applicable) and may be subject to DEW approval.

6 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances ESTABLISH REGIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE The regional steering committee shall be appointed in partnership with the Department of Education and Workforce and shall approve the regional workforce plan, budget narratives for grant-related activities, and career-technical program applications for the region.

Regional steering committees should include representation from: • Career-Tech Planning District Leads. • Local Education Agency leaders. • Postsecondary Perkins recipients.

• Key regional business leaders. • Key workforce development partners (e.g., JobsOhio, workforce boards, chamber of commerce, etc.). • Key regional community partners; and • Other organizations, the Career Pathway Support Network deems relevant.

Steering Committees should have between 10-20 members and an outline of the proposed steering committee should be included within the application. Applications may have placeholders for steering committee representatives or may have individuals named. The Department reserves the right to amend and approve steering committees.

CONFIDENTIALITY/DISCLOSURE While carrying out the services described in this RFA, the Career Pathway Support Networks grantee may receive potentially confidential and/or sensitive information, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII) for students and their families. This information could come from various sources (e.g. parents, school personnel, students, community members, and others).

The Career Pathway Support Network grantee, including any subgrantees, must take all precautions and necessary steps to maintain confidentiality. The grantee agrees to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Professional learning and technical assistance specific to serving students with disabilities in career-technical education shall be offered in collaboration and partnership with the State Support Team Career-Technical Planning District consultants.

OWNERSHIP/INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 7 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances REPORTING Each grantee shall submit an annual Action Plan by August 31 of each year, except for Year 1. The Year 1 Action Plan will have been submitted with the proposal in response to this RFA. The Action Plan will outline how the grantee will accomplish its goals and objectives.

The annual Action Plan must include: 1. Proposed approach/significant activities designed to address each goal and defined deliverables. 2.

Specific, measurable, and quantifiable objectives for the accomplishment of the goals for the first year, and broad objectives for the following years. 3. The type and projected number of people who will be served by each activity; and 4.

A timeline for the beginning and completion of each activity. Key activities should reflect the following criteria: 1. Generated by specific needs.

2. Reflect state priorities for expanding career awareness, exploration, and career-technical education; and 3. Evidence of success in linking or working in conjunction with local education agencies.

Each Career Pathway Support Network is required to submit an annual budget and associated narrative describing fund allocations by budget categories. Additionally, Career Pathway Support Networks will be required to maintain a quarterly detailed expenditure summary describing how grant funds are utilized in execution of stated goals to meet the needs of their respective regions.

The department reserves the right to request copies of quarterly expenditure summaries, purchase orders, or any supporting documentation. Grant funds pursuant to the Career Pathway Support Networks Program are contingent upon fund availability as determined by the State Legislature.

8 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances Career Pathway Support Network Jobs Ohio Region FY26 Allocation$ FY 27 Allocation$ Northwest $409,699. 74 $527,017. 44 Northeast $682,899.

24 $878,447. 72 East $295,220. 77 $379,757.

36 West $374,961. 19 $482,331. 48 Central $545,811.

96 $702,105. 44 Southeast $340,657. 93 $438,205.

47 Southwest $460,321. 76 $592,135. 09 Statewide $3,109,572.

60 $4,000,000. 00 FY26 Regional Funding Methodology Regional Funding = 50% Operating Enrollment Valuation + 50% Maintenance of Service Valuation + Growth Valuation • Operating Enrollment Valuation = ($3,109,572. 60 x 50%) x (%Percent of States 7-12 students) • Maintenance of Service Valuation= (A+B+C) o A = ($3,109,572.

60 x 50%)/7 Regions) x (%Percent of Regional 7-12 CTE Participants) o B = ($3,109,572. 60 x 50%)/7 Regions) x (%Percent of Regional 7-8 grade VM Course Participants) o C = ($3,109,572. 60 x 50%)/7 Regions) x (%Percent of Regional CTE Concentrators) • Growth Valuation = ($3,109,572.

60 x 50%)/7)-(A+B+C) FY27 Regional Funding Methodology Regional Funding = 50% Operating Enrollment Valuation + 50% Maintenance of Service Valuation + Growth Valuation • Operating Enrollment Valuation = ($4,000,000 x 50%) x (%Percent of States 7-12 students) • Maintenance of Service Valuation= (A+B+C) o A = ($4,000,000 x 50%)/7 Regions) x (%Percent of Regional 7-12 CTE Participants) o B = ($4,000,000 x 50%)/7 Regions) x (%Percent of Regional 7-8 grade VM Course Participants) o C = ($4,000,000x 50%)/7 Regions) x (%Percent of Regional CTE Concentrators) • Growth Valuation = ($4,0000,00 x 50%)/7)-(A+B+C) 9 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances *In FY26 $890,427.

40 was awarded as a 121-day extension to six Tech Prep Regional centers to maintain continuity of service. 10 | FY26-27 Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications & Assurances FY26 Career Pathway Support Networks: Regional Profiles 1 | CPSN Profile | FY26 Profile based on FY24 reported data Northwest Region • Career Technical Planning Districts: 11 2.

Joint Vocational School Districts: 5 • Percent of schools with CTE Participants: 51. 1% (69/135) • Percent of schools with Middle School Participants: 40% (54/135) • Percent of schools with CTE Concentrators: 49. 6% (67/135) • Total students enrolled in grades 7-12: 96962 • Total students enrolled in grades 7-8: 30630 • Percent of students participating in CTE: 18.

7% • Percent of students in grades 7-8 taking introductory CTE courses: 43. 4% • Percent of students reaching CTE concentrator status: 12. 7% • Grades 9-12 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 23.

9% • Ohio Technical Centers: 7 • Ohio Public Colleges and Universities: 6 • Education Service Centers: 12 • Active Business Advisory Councils: 19 2 | CPSN. Northwest Profile | FY26 Profile based on FY24 reported data Northeast Region • Career Technical Planning Districts: 32 2. Joint Vocational School Districts: 13 3.

Community Schools: 123 • Percent of schools with CTE Participants: 37. 7% (117/310) • Percent of schools with Middle School Participants: 31% (96/310) • Percent of schools with CTE Concentrators: 34. 8% (108/310) • Total students enrolled in grades 7-12: 238176 • Total students enrolled in grades 7-8: 75711 • Percent of students participating in CTE: 14.

5% • Percent of students in grades 7-8 taking introductory CTE courses: 34% • Percent of students reaching CTE concentrator status: 10. 6% • Grades 9-12 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 34. 3% • Ohio Technical Centers: 15 • Ohio Public Colleges and Universities: 9 • Education Service Centers: 13 • Active Business Advisory Councils: 24 2 | CPSN.

Northeast Profile | FY26 Profile based on FY24 reported data East Region • Career Technical Planning Districts: 6 2. Joint Vocational School Districts: 4 • Percent of schools with CTE Participants: 25. 3% (19/75) • Percent of schools with Middle School Participants: 18.

7% (14/75) • Percent of schools with CTE Concentrators: 20% (15/75) • Total students enrolled in grades 7-12: 37789 • Total students enrolled in grades 7-8: 12124 • Percent of students participating in CTE: 12. 1% • Percent of students in grades 7-8 taking introductory CTE courses: 21% • Percent of students reaching CTE concentrator status: 9. 4% • Grades 9-12 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 36.

7% • Ohio Technical Centers: 5 • Ohio Public Colleges and Universities: 1 • Education Service Centers: 5 • Active Business Advisory Councils: 5 2 | CPSN. East Profile | FY26 Profile based on FY24 reported data West Region • Career Technical Planning Districts: 9 2. Joint Vocational School Districts: 4 • Percent of schools with CTE Participants: 41.

5% (44/106) • Percent of schools with Middle School Participants: 31. 1% (33/106) • Percent of schools with CTE Concentrators: 37. 7% (40/106) • Total students enrolled in grades 7-12: 79006 • Total students enrolled in grades 7-8: 25731 • Percent of students participating in CTE: 19.

5% • Percent of students in grades 7-8 taking introductory CTE courses: 46. 7% • Percent of students reaching CTE concentrator status: 13. 1% • Grades 9-12 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 31.

2% • Ohio Technical Centers: 3 • Ohio Public Colleges and Universities: 5 • Education Service Centers: 10 • Active Business Advisory Councils: 14 2 | CPSN. West Profile | FY26 Profile based on FY24 reported data Central Region • Career Technical Planning Districts: 10 2. Joint Vocational School Districts: 7 • Percent of schools with CTE Participants: 46.

6% (75/161) • Percent of schools with Middle School Participants: 31. 7% (51/161) • Percent of schools with CTE Concentrators: 45. 3% (73/161) • Total students enrolled in grades 7-12: 167317 • Total students enrolled in grades 7-8: 54196 • Percent of students participating in CTE: 16.

2% • Percent of students in grades 7-8 taking introductory CTE courses: 36. 3% • Percent of students reaching CTE concentrator status: 9. 1% • Grades 9-12 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 35.

3% • Ohio Technical Centers: 7 • Ohio Public Colleges and Universities: 4 • Education Service Centers: 10 • Active Business Advisory Councils: 14 2 | CPSN. Central Profile | FY26 Profile based on FY24 reported data Southeast Region • Career Technical Planning Districts: 15 2. Joint Vocational School Districts: 11 • Percent of schools with CTE Participants: 62.

37% (66/106) • Percent of schools with Middle School Participants: 52. 8% (56/106) • Percent of schools with CTE Concentrators: 57. 5% (61/106) • Total students enrolled in grades 7-12: 61275 • Total students enrolled in grades 7-8: 19796 • Percent of students participating in CTE: 30.

1% • Percent of students in grades 7-8 taking introductory CTE courses: 46. 2% • Percent of students reaching CTE concentrator status: 18. 5% • Grades 9-12 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 32.

7% • Ohio Technical Centers: 8 • Ohio Public Colleges and Universities: 8 • Education Service Centers: 13 • Active Business Advisory Councils: 20 2 | CPSN. Southeast Profile | FY26 Profile based on FY24 reported data Southwest Region • Career Technical Planning Districts: 6 2. Joint Vocational School Districts: 5 • Percent of schools with CTE Participants: 20.

6% (20/97) • Percent of schools with Middle School Participants: 14. 4% (14/97) • Percent of schools with CTE Concentrators: 20. 6% (20/97) • Total students enrolled in grades 7-12: 123128 • Total students enrolled in grades 7-8: 39758 • Percent of students participating in CTE: 18.

8% • Percent of students in grades 7-8 taking introductory CTE courses: 37. 6% • Percent of students reaching CTE concentrator status: 10. 7% • Grades 9-12 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 34% • Ohio Technical Centers: 4 • Ohio Public Colleges and Universities: 3 • Education Service Centers: 6 • Active Business Advisory Councils: 14 2 | CPSN.

Southwest Profile | FY26 Profile based on FY24 reported data