Children’s Home Society awarded $7.3M Microsoft grant

Children's Home Society of Florida has been awarded a $7.3 million grant from Microsoft’s YouthSpark Software Grants program.

The award is aimed at helping to bridge the digital learning divide for disadvantaged youth as well as provide tools and training to enable CHS case managers to more effectively and efficiently serve kids across the state. Microsoft YouthSpark is a company-wide, global initiative to create opportunities in education, employment and entrepreneurship for youth.

With the help of Microsoft employee volunteers, CHS is developing Tech Success Florida, a technology training program to help 7,000 disadvantaged youth – including those in foster care and/or in the juvenile justice system – acquire the technological aptitude, interest and skills to improve their chances for success in life. Students will get training in use of the Internet, websites and cloud services; Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications; résumé writing and interviewing techniques. Tech Success Florida will offer a self-led online learning portal as well as mentoring and entrepreneurial opportunities.

“Working with Microsoft, we are developing solutions to child welfare challenges that were previously out of reach. Not only do we have the tools but we also have the Microsoft vision to help us unlock incredible potential,” said Michael Shaver, CEO of Children's Home Society of Florida, which serves about 90,000 children and families statewide.

This story was originally published July 22, 2015 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Children’s Home Society awarded $7.3M Microsoft grant."