Schools

Grant Helps MCC Offer Health Care Courses

MCC to work with McHenry County Workforce Network in recruiting the unemployed, underemployed or low income students to participate.

(MCC) recently received a $100,000 grant through The Workforce Boards of Metropolitan Chicago that will support development of a health career bridge program for underemployed, unemployed, or low-income area residents who wouldn’t otherwise attend college.

The source of funding is a federal award from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families to the Workforce Boards.

Through the “Health Careers—Skilled Workers, Strong Earnings: Bridging Healthcare Program,” MCC plans to develop a career pathway training program that begins with basic certified nursing assistant training and advances individuals from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to either Registered Nurse (RN) or Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) programs.

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The program will consist of a progression of educational steps leading to career advancement. Several MCC academic departments will continue to implement instructional approaches to improve student success, including initial testing, advising, tutoring, employment services and recruitment for further education.

The program’s basis is a CNA bridge class concurrent with the CNA class. After successful completion of those one-semester courses, students will be encouraged to continue taking prerequisites for either the nursing or occupational therapy assisting program. The grant will continue to pay tuition, fees, uniforms and textbooks for the students. All involved faculty salaries are also covered by the grant. 

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MCC is working with the McHenry County Workforce Network to help recruit, provide case management, and job-seeking services for students. Healthcare partners include area long-term care providers and nursing homes.

Joan Flanagan, dean of Health Sciences, said the college should receive additional money because the grant is renewable for three to five years for a total of $500,000.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to area residents. Already the first class is half full of very deserving people whose goal it is to work in healthcare,” stated Flanagan.

This new Healthcare bridge program builds on a solid foundation of previous career pathway training. For example, MCC successfully administered two bridge programs that were funded by the Illinois Community College Board in fiscal year 2005. Of the original 30 students enrolled in a health careers program, 15 became employed as CNA’s and 15 continued their education. In addition, in fiscal year 2007, MCC partnered with local manufacturers and the Workforce Investment Board to launch a 40-hour Welding Boot Camp.

Those interested in participating in this program may contact the MCC grant advisor’s office to determine eligibility by calling 815-479-7735.


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