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MN Associates, Inc.

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January 7, 2025

Transforming Educational and Future Career Pathways: Bridging the Divide from Confinement to Opportunity

Our team at MNA is thrilled to share that Ameelio is a recipient of the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant! This $10.7 million award is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s $1.25 billion initiative to expand digital skills and foster inclusion nationwide. The initiative represents a bold step toward bridging the digital divide and empowering underserved communities across the country.

As the proud evaluator on this transformative grant, the MNA team is excited to collaborate with Ameelio and a dynamic group of partners to bring this vision to life. Together, the project will serve 18,000+ incarcerated individuals across Idaho and Utah, providing them with essential digital and workforce skills for successful reentry.

This initiative will:

✅ Build technology that equips justice-impacted individuals with digital skills, education, and connections.
✅ Scale efforts to foster inclusion, partnerships, and a community of practice in corrections and reentry.
✅ Serve as a national blueprint for integrating technology-based reentry support into corrections, inspiring a shift toward a more rehabilitative justice system.

Meet The Incredible Partners:

  • Workbay: Pioneering innovative workforce development solutions, Workbay will provide tools and resources to help participants build career pathways and achieve sustainable employment.
  • The Petey Greene Program: Known for its commitment to educational equity, The Petey Greene Program will enhance educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals through tutoring and mentorship.
  • Iron Bow Technologies: A leader in IT solutions, Iron Bow Technologies will ensure the project leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver impactful and scalable outcomes.

The MNA team is honored to be part of this important work alongside NTIA and these remarkable collaborators, as well as the Idaho Department of Correction, Utah Department of Corrections, Digital Harbor Foundation, and Ameelio.

💡 This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of all involved.

For more details, check out the NTIA press release:
👉 https://lnkd.in/erxktvyC

Here’s to exciting few years ahead, filled with meaningful progress and transformative change! 🌟

Filed Under: News and Updates

Kavita Mittapalli

Kavita Mittapalli, Ph.D., is the CEO of MN Associates, Inc. She brings over 18 years of experience in conducting research and evaluation for various programs and initiatives. She started MNA while in grad school at George Mason University (VA). An agriculture graduate turned applied sociologist and a mixed methodologist by training, Kavita brings her extensive qualitative and quantitative research skills to the evaluation work she does.

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