Donna Deegan - Mayor of Jacksonville, FL | City of Jacksonville website
Donna Deegan - Mayor of Jacksonville, FL | City of Jacksonville website
The City of Jacksonville, The Arc Jacksonville, and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) have introduced the Professional Animal Workers Certificate (PAWS) program. Announced on January 28th at Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS), this initiative aims to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD) with education and hands-on experience in animal care.
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan highlighted the significance of the program: “The PAWS program truly represents a tremendous step forward in ensuring that students with intellectual and developmental differences now have the opportunity to gain meaningful skills, earn certifications, and open doors to new career paths.” She emphasized its role in workforce development through collaboration between The Arc Jacksonville, FSCJ, and ACPS.
The PAWS program is a 12-week course offering training for careers in kennels, animal daycare centers, and similar businesses. Participants will complete coursework at The Arc Jacksonville’s campus focusing on various aspects of animal care as well as soft skills like communication and teamwork. This is followed by an internship at ACPS for practical experience.
John Avendano, Ph.D., President of FSCJ, stated: “We know that, historically, the opportunities to earn postsecondary credentials have been woefully limited for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences.” He reiterated FSCJ's commitment to expanding educational opportunities through partnerships like this one.
Kari Bates, President and CEO of The Arc Jacksonville, noted: “This program represents a significant step forward in workforce development,” addressing high unemployment rates among adults with IDD in Florida. Interested parties can learn more or enroll by contacting 904-355-0155 or careercampus@arcjacksonville.org.
About the City of Jacksonville: It is the largest city by land mass in the contiguous United States. More information can be found at jacksonville.gov.
About The Arc Jacksonville: This nonprofit advocates for individuals with IDD through various initiatives. Visit arcjacksonville.org for details.
About FSCJ: Known as "the community’s college," it serves over 40,000 students annually. More information is available online.
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