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Innovation Grant for Developing the Health Care Workforce in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is working with state agency partners in conducting pilot projects to explore different strategies for expanding access to high-demand healthcare career opportunities. DCEO will be funding pilot projects with industry organizations,  local workforce investment areas (LWIAs), community colleges, and non-profit organizations that address how to train and place more skilled workers in regions with documented shortages.  DCEO will focus on the following types of projects:

• Addressing regional nursing shortages through strategies that expand access to low-income and disadvantaged populations facing barriers in entering nursing programs.

• Expanding access to high-paying career opportunities for low-skill, low-income individuals in long-term and community-based care.

• Developing and pilot-testing career cluster-based healthcare bridge programs delivered through community colleges or non-profit organizations.

In all of these investment areas, priority will be given to those organizations that have strong employer partnerships with immediate hiring needs and a proven track record in the targeted areas.

Industry organizations, local workforce investment areas, community colleges, and non-profit organizations interested in participating in this project should contact Michael Baker at 217-558-6423 or michael.baker@illinois.gov.