Honoring Innovation

The Grantscellence Award is given annually to distinguished College of DuPage project directors and proposal development teams whose grant development and implementation achievements have had meaningful and substantive impact on the college and its students. The award is presented at the Resource Development Office’s annual spring Grants Recognition Luncheon, honoring all project directors who submitted proposals during the previous year.

 

2007 Grantscellence Award
In 2007 the Resource Development Office was pleased to honor Thomas Cameron, Dean of Health, Social, and Behavioral Sciences, Karen Solt, Associate Dean, Health Sciences, and the entire grant development team in recognition of their outstanding work that has resulted in a $1,422,342 grant from the United States Department of Labor (DOL). As a result of 16 months of careful planning, strategizing and partnership development, College of DuPage was named one of 72 community college partnerships from across the nation to receive funding through the DOL Community-Based Job Training Grants initiative. Introduced by President Bush in his 2004 State of the Union Address, the primary purpose of Community-Based Job Training Grants is to build community colleges’ capacity to equip workers with the skills that high growth, high demand local industries require for success. Projects that have received funding cover industries ranging from healthcare and construction to advanced manufacturing and energy. The grant program underscores the rising importance and expanding role of community colleges in preparing the nation’s workforce.

 

The Licensed Practical Nursing Capacity Bridge Program
In collaboration with nine other partners, including business, government and educational entities, College of DuPage will develop the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Capacity Bridge Program to address the labor needs of the healthcare community within DuPage County and the surrounding area. Comprehensive training activities spanning three years will include a career ladder enabling participants to advance from the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to LPN to the Registered Nurse (RN) level. The project is specifically designed to address the growing local workforce demands for more individuals to enter nursing for acute, sub-acute, post-acute and long-term care in the region. Capacity-building components of the project include staffing, equipment, facilities, and outreach to underserved populations.

 

The Impact
The Licensed Practical Nursing Capacity Bridge Program will reach, impact, and benefit a variety of stakeholders throughout our communities. The project expects to graduate 110 LPN students. Of those who take the exam, 90 percent of these graduates are expected to pass the NCLEX-PN test. The increased capacity will also serve an additional 300+ students annually in the CNA program for a projected total of 1,010 students within the next three years. Fifty (50) middle school students and approximately 195 high school students are targeted to participate in career development activities, and 45 K-12 teachers will participate in healthcare information workshops/institutes. Through bridge courses and curriculum development, 195 high school students will complete a CNA program and eligible students will be able to enter an LPN dual credit certificate program. By the end of the 36-month project period, the project will impact a total of 1,300 youth and adults and 200 parents, greatly benefiting regional healthcare providers and district communities.

 

The DOL Grant Development Team
The following College of DuPage employees have made notable contributions to the Licensed Practical Nursing Capacity Bridge Program grant development efforts.

Lesli Barger
Tom Cameron
Pat Coleman
Joseph Collins
Ellen Davel
Jeri Lynn Else
Terry Fuller
Richard Kalus
Barbara Matthay
Ann Marie Rosen
Alice Siehoff
Karen Solt

 

The Partners
The Licensed Practical Nursing Capacity Bridge Program would not be possible without the dynamic participation and commitment of the following entities. A total of $3,630,229 in leveraged resources will support the project, demonstrating a strong community allegiance to this far-reaching initiative.

DuPage Area Healthcare Leadership Council
DuPage Convalescent Center
DuPage Medical Group
HCR ManorCare
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
DuPage Workforce Board (WIB) and DuPage County Workforce Development Division
Community High School District 94, West Chicago, IL
DuPage County Regional Office of Education
Technology Center of DuPage

 

Supportive Members
Benedictine University
College of DuPage Foundation
Illinois Community College Board

 

To learn more about College of DuPage project directors honored in FY2007, read the Honoring Innovation Grants Recognition Luncheon booklet (992KB PDF File). Next year’s booklet might feature you!

View last year's booklet (700KB PDF File)