The recipient entity's physical address:
           2902 LaSalle St Monroe La 71201

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           1500 N 19th St Suite 9 Monroe La 71201

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  0139

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $1,230,256

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           President
Krystal Shaw
36526 Oak Park Ave
Prairieville, LA 70769

Executive Director/Founder
EJ Maxwell
2902 LaSalle St
Monroe La 71201

VP Finance
Ruthie Miley
905 Sage Meadow Dr
Glenn Heights TX 75154

VP Outreach/Marketing Management
Allison Johnson
36185 Pleasant Hill Ct
Prairieville, LA 70769

Secretary/ VP Strategic Management
Victoria Day
35239 Beverly Hills Dr
Prairieville, LA 70769

VP Membership
LaTrice Sillers
3533 High Vista Dr
CarrolltonTexas 75007

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           There are two AI Data Centers ( Meta and Entergy ) located in rural Richland Parish. BDPA plans to increase the IT workforce with individuals who earn industry certifications in Cybersecurity, Networking, Programing and Data Science. There are over 30,000 Snap Recipients in Ouachita Parish. Some desire is to acquire industry certifications. Our program can provide repeatable processes for the rural areas Ouachita, Caddo, Morehouse, East Carroll and Richard Parishes. In addition, the program will provide cognitive well being and dispute mediation to assist students with minor offenses to clean up record for employment.

BDPA STEAM Academy program's primary focus is to provide a training program for people to move into self sufficiency by providing industry certifications to this group of people. Our communities' crime and violence will reduce, while restoring the pride and dignity of our Great Americans! Our program will provide opportunities for high paying wages and first time homebuyers, while generating real economic revenue for the rural communities to rebuild.
In 2024, BDPA Monroe Chapter received chapter of the year award out of 10 states for Technology and Community/State engagement. Louisiana House of Representatives presented a House Resolution for BDPA STEAM Academy.

Our goal is to educate, train, provide exposure, real live IT experiences for students and Externships for high wage job opportunities in the IT Industry. BDPA Rural IT program has the potential to enroll 140 Snap Recipients into the prerequisite program

We believe these individuals will reside in their rural hometown and give back to their communities to improve economic development by using their skills and talents to build back rural communities to become communities that attract top IT companies. This can only happen, if a strong IT workforce pool of talent is present. The recent I-20 corridor economic development supports the idea of Northeast Louisiana rural towns to become the next improved Silicon Valley. We can do this in Northeast Louisiana with the assistance of the BDPA STEM Academy programs. We are poised to start now in Ouachita Parish.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $380,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $550,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $300,259
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $23,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          To build a strong IT Workforce program for Northeast Louisiana rural communities, while providing Information Technology (IT) industry certifications. The requested funds will provide an opportunity for an IT Pre Training program and Job opportunities for people whose desire is to move into self sufficiency by acquiring several IT skills that leads to high paying wages, while working remotely in Louisiana with a mandatory 2yr commitment for 30-100 Young Adults age 19-35.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The goals: 1. Provide IT Prerequisite Training Program to prepare for IT industry certification 2. Provide an Information Technology workforce for the I-20 corridor economic development in Ouachita Parish and other IT remotely high wage jobs within the US. 3. Create, development an IT platform for a large number of students participating in the prerequisite program. Create a case management system for intake, tracking and reporting. 4. Provide limited transportation and childcare for evening classes, when applicable 5. Provide Cognitive well Being and Dispute Mediation

Objective:
1. Implement an Information Technology prerequisite part-time training program for young adults 19-35,
2. Recruit 30-100 able body students
3. Proactively collaborate with the local mayors, private companies, and others to develop an executable comprehensive plan that is designed for duplication across Northeast Louisiana rural communities
4. Educate and train students to obtain Information Technology industry certifications
5. Hands on learning to build experience that will increase the student chances for job employment opportunities
6. Create an AI platform to assist students in their learning, while providing data for leadership to make good decisions concerning the program
7. Students that met the eligibility requirements will compete in Mobile App development, Robotics development and repairs at the annual BDPA Conference
8. At the end of the program students will obtain GED(if applicable), Prerequisite certificate of completion, Move into the BDPA certification program and obtain a Comptia, Cybersecurity, Networking, or Programing certifications for those new high wage jobs in our communities, countrywide or global positions
9.Conduct IT Bootcamps to introduce the students to the IT Industry twice a year.
10. Execute a contract or MOU with IT companies. Students must give Louisiana at least 2yrs of service before moving to other endeavors outside the state.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           The prerequisite course is 12-18months. The IT Certification Program is 24 months, which includes a 3 weeks pre certification testing.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 N/A
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 N/A

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 N/A

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  N/A

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               N/A

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               N/A

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                N/A

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 N/A

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               N/A


Contact Information
name:  Essie Maxwell 
                                       address:  1500 N 19th St Suite 9 Monroe La 71201
                                       phone:  318 348 9168
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  Monroe@bdpa.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Founder/Executive Director