History
Accent on Education founded in 1999 after winning a competitive grant to pilot an
entrepreneurial development program to assist in transitioning TANIF recipients
into micro-businesses. The pilot program became a fully funded endeavor that lasted
until the funding stream ended in 2002. We were successful in obtaining funding
from private foundations to expand the program beyond those who lived only in the
original jurisdiction. During the life of the program, AOE was successful in providing
assistance to many start-up businesses. We forged partnerships with other agencies
to provide a well-rounded entrepreneurial support system for new business owners.
The entrepreneurial program expanded to the City of Pasadena where it assisted in
the development of many new businesses and was the recipient of the Nation Association
of Counties NaCo award for Innovative Programs in 2002. Our director is also the
recipient of the Woman Champion in Business Award from the SBA in 2006.
In 2000, we expanded our services to include family literacy programs managing a
Reading First grant awarded to the Houston Independent School District. Our role
enabled us to provide parenting classes to guardians of children in grades K-3 in
four schools. The successful parenting programs led us to a sole-source contract
for the adult component for No Child Left Behind, adult component, servicing 93
public and private schools. We developed and provided management for English as
a Second Language (ESL), General Education Development (GED) programs; computer
training, parenting classes, child and parent together time training (PACT) programs
and more.
Further expansion of our scope of services in 2007 is enabling us to assist in the
Metropolitan Transit Authority's (METRO) light rail expansion project. Accent on
Education was chosen as a subcontractor to assist with the development of the School
Safety programs to be implemented in approximately 60 schools in the Houston and
Spring Branch Independent School Districts. Our role in the project is to develop
training materials for grades K-12, implement the training programs, and design
delivery methods to be used in the schools that will teach the children about rail
construction safety and rail use safety.
Accent on Education was also chosen to develop newsletters, research, secure applications
and draft grant applications to secure funds for DBE/SBE training and Construction
Trade Apprenticeship Training. Accent on Education will serve as an Ambassador to
the SBE/DBE's in an effort to convince Prime Contractors and Subcontractors that
METRO is serious about 35% DBE/SBE participation. Establish procedures, incentives
and consequences of non-compliance. Assure Compliance with Federal regulations 49CFR
Part 26. Reach into the communities to identify POOL of ready, willing and able
DBE/SBEs, and encourage certification and bidding on Metro Solutions. Coordinate
DBE/SBE Master Plan with community outreach program and existing City of Houston
initiatives to maximize participation.
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