Chemeketa Community College Granted Funds To Partner In The Inclusive Career Advancement Program -10/14/21

Chemeketa Community College has been awarded part of an $18.2 million grant for a career advancement project serving students with disabilities.

Salem, Ore., October 13, 2021 — Chemeketa Community College was part of a consortium led by Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), in partnership with workforce development organizations, and all seventeen Oregon community colleges that were awarded $18.2 million to plan, develop, and implement the Inclusive Career Advancement Program (ICAP) project, serving students with disabilities.

ICAP will leverage Oregon’s current statewide network of career pathway services to advance educational and economic equity for people with disabilities, with intentional outreach and inclusion of marginalized communities. ICAP will braid the support and services of VR, Self-Sufficiency Programs, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act workforce partners, Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB), and key efforts at community colleges across the state.

Adam Mennig, Director of Academic Development at Chemeketa Community College, said, “Chemeketa will use our $824,503 award over five years to hire a navigator position to support students accessing education and training through ICAP while expanding Occupational Skills Training programs, and leveraging our Career Pathways, Pathways to Opportunity, and SNAP Training & Employment Program (STEP) initiatives. We look forward to building and expanding our community and campus partnerships.”

As part of the grant, Cornell University will evaluate the project’s implementation and performance to determine the efficacy of ICAP practices and strategies. These findings will be shared nationally to expand access and opportunities for people with disabilities to enter and be supported in their career goals. For more information, email Adam Mennig at adam.mennig@chemeketa.edu.

 

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For more than 50 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves 30,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.