MN SF859

Appropriates $1,400,000 to the Department of Education for fiscal year 2018 and $1,400,000 for fiscal year 2019 as a grant to Girl Scouts River Valleys for the ConnectZ program.

Funds support innovative, culturally relevant programming for underrepresented, at-risk girls in kindergarten through grade 12, including healthy relationships, STEM, financial literacy, college and career readiness, and leadership development.

Requires grantee to submit annual reports by February 15 to the commissioner of education and relevant legislative committees detailing expenditures and program outcomes.

Reports must include data on high school participants' college attendance confidence, grade 12 postsecondary application rates, positive relationships with leaders, and girls' sense of empowerment to make community differences.