Regional Occupational Program Teams Up with City

Students often worry that they are not prepared to face the challenges after finishing school. They know they must be technically skilled and academically prepared to survive in the working world. Most schools do not condition their students into acquiring what is necessary to make it on their own, but schools are not the only option. People can join regional occupational programs to help further their education. One program can make a difference and that is happening right in Redlands. The Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program helps their students become career ready by advancing the skills and education of high school students and adults in the region. The Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program was founded in 1971 and is consisted of the Colton Joint Unified, Redlands Unified, and the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School Districts. The program provides career training for more than forty sought-after career fields. Their vision is “to be the most influential, respected, industry-focused and student-centered Career Technical Education program in their state.” CRY-ROP offers programs year-round and open to students, out of school teenagers and adults.  Every person enlists for a certain reason like trying to prepare for their careers or entering the workforce, upgrading skills or acquiring school credits. This provides everyone with a chance of moving forward in life. They provide numerous efforts in assisting their students. One way they do that is by their Operation M.O.N.E.Y which stands for More Opportunities Now Exist 4 You. It is a recruitment program for out-of-school youth who face employment barriers. It is a Workforce Investment Act grant-funded program based in Redlands and provides various academic opportunities and help them start their careers. This program’s reputation is continuing to grow in Redlands and many people benefit from their efforts.  On July 3, 2018, a Redlands City Council meeting was held where many discussions were ongoing and one thing on the agenda was about CRY-ROP. Redlands Quality of Life Director Chris Boatman submitted the topic to the City Council. The Quality of Life Recreational Division promotes healthy living, focuses on community participation and operates numerous recreational facilities. The topic was discussing the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program for the provision of temporary staffing services in an amount not-to-exceed $45,000.  According to the Memorandum and a Joint Venture Training Agreement, there will be a training program for eligible participants at no cost to the City. An addition to this agreement between Redlands and CRY-ROP is that there will be temporary staffing services for the increased program demands in the City’s recreational divisions. Redlands will pay CRY-ROP for the program participants provided. The agreed amount should not go over the forty-five thousand dollars and is based upon how much staff they need for the recreational divisions. This Memorandum will last until June of 2019. Both parties hope that it will enhance recreational program services. The Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program is actively contributing to the community. Their program helps their participants to be career ready and take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. It is also amicable that they promote community involvement. It brings residents together and makes recreational programs more valuable. This joint agreement between the two parties is for the sole benefit of the city’s residents. Only time will tell whether this plan will have the outcome they are looking for.