The Career Pathway Support Networks (CPSN) are a statewide Ohio initiative designed to expand access to career-technical education (CTE), career advising, mentoring, and career-connected learning opportunities for students. The program is led by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) in partnership with the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE).
Purpose & Overview
The networks were created to help more Ohio students:
- Explore careers earlier, especially in grades 7–10.
- Access high-quality career-technical education programs.
- Receive career advising and mentoring.
- Connect classroom learning to workforce opportunities.
- Prepare for high-demand careers in Ohio industries.
Ohio replaced its traditional Tech Prep Regional Centers with seven regional Career Pathway Support Networks. Each network is aligned with a JobsOhio region and is guided by a regional steering committee that includes K12, higher education, employers, workforce organizations, and community partners.
The networks focus on:
- Expanding participation in CTE programs.
- Strengthening partnerships between K–12 schools, higher education, and employers.
- Aligning education programs with regional workforce needs.
- Supporting career services for schools
Ohio has seen increasing demand for career-technical education, with more than 141,000 students participating in at least one CTE course during the 2023–24 school year. CPSN aims to ensure that students across all regions have equitable access to career exploration, workforce preparation, and education pathways that lead to employment in Ohio's in-demand industries.
Ohio committed approximately $7.1 million over two years to establish and operate networks to help understand and meet the need of this demand across the state, distributed amongst regional lead organizations.
NEO Clusters by County
Our Northeast Ohio Region is made up of 14 counties! Each county is assigned to one cluster, with the exception of Stark which is serviced by both South Central & Mid-Ohio clusters. Our clusters each have an assigned consultant dedicated to the CPSN work!
Cluster 1: South Central Cluster (Summit, Stark*, Portage and Tuscarawas Counties)
Lead ESC: Stark ESC Partner ESC: Summit ESC
Consultant: Stacia Kaschak
Email: StaciaK@SST8.org
Cluster 2: Mid-Ohio Cluster (Ashland, Richland, Stark* and Wayne Counties)
Lead ESC: Mid-Ohio ESC
Consultant: Krista Allison
Email: krista.allison@starkesc.org
Cluster 3: Western Lakeshore Cluster (Lorain, Huron, and Erie Counties)
Lead ESC: Lorain County ESC Partner ESC: North Point ESC
Consultant: Kennie Searight
Email: ksearight@esclc.org
Cluster 4: Greater Cleveland Cluster (Cuyahoga and Medina Counties)
Lead ESC: ESC of Northeast Ohio Partner ESC: Medina ESC
Consultant: Chris Kalina
Email: Christopher.kalina@escneo.org
Cluster 5: Eastern Lakeshore Cluster (Lake and Geauga Counties)
Lead ESC: ESC of Western Reserve
Consultant: Taura Talbert-Salter
Email: ttalbert@escwr.org