Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act

The Counseling to Career (C2C) Program is a federally funded Workforce Innovation & Oppotunity Act Program serving eligible youth in Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston counties.  This program provides youth with one-on-one counseling in order to meet the individual needs of the participant.  The goal of the program is to help youth develop the skills needed to attain and maintain employment.

Youth are required to complete eight (8) classes totaling approximately twenty-four (24) hours of work ethics training.  With the participation of local businesses, eligible youth who have completed the training are placed in worksites to practice what they have learned in the classroom.  The youth’s salary and workers’ comp insurance are paid through grant funds.

The GTPDD WIOA staff coordinates with the worksite supervisors to monitor, mentor and encourage the youth during the work experience phase of the program.  In addition to the work ethics training, youth who are found deficient in basic reading, math or language skills are tutored in hopes of raising their academic level to make them more employable or to enhance their interest in continuing their education.  The GTPDD staff works with the youth after the work experience phase for a minimum of twelve (12) months to make sure the youth continue their education, find employment or join the military.


Program Requirements: 

Youth Participants must be: 

  • 16 -24 years of age or younger
  • Not attending school
  • Interested in employment or continued education

Participating Businesses: 

  • Have sufficient work
  • Supervise & mentor youth
  • Complete youth timesheets

It is a Win-Win situation for the youth and participating businesses.  The business receives a free worker for a period of time; the youth participants get a chance to prove themselves in the workplace.

Anyone interested in information about this program contact Mitzi Lawrence at (662) 324-7860 ext. 1128.