In June 2022, the Ohio Department of Education selected and awarded $89 million in Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities Grants to 161 community-based partners out of more than 700 applications from across the state. Locally, two grants were awarded to SPARC Council, one to create summer programming in summer 2022, 2023 and 2024 and one to create after-school programming, with fiscal oversight from Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.

The SPARC Council was instrumental in the development of local career coach programming since the requirement came into place.

As new and improved funding mechanisms from the state have enabled this programming to be handled in a more direct manner by educational partners, SPARC has moved its focus to supportive programming while offering collaborative insight. 

The State of Ohio’s required educational business advisory councils offer business insight that enable educational leaders to align curriculum and mentorship to career opportunities. 

SPARC Board and Committee members are  actively engaged in these meetings and activities aligning the council to the best practices and needs of local education providers, community partners, and businesses.