Volume 08 | August 2020
COMPACT HIGHLIGHTS
RETURN TO LEARN PLANS

With the 2020-2021 school year start around the corner, many McLean County Schools are adapting to new learning environments for this school year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Stay up to date with local schools and their Return to Learn Plan for the 2020-21 year.

COMMUNITY FOOD RESOURCE MAP LAUNCHED

A great new interactive map was just added to the Illinois Nutrition Education Programs website to help communities locate resources include food pantries, summer meal sites, grocery stores, and much more!
APPRENTICESHIP ILLINOIS EXPANSION

In July, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a $4.7 million investment to expand the Illinois Apprenticeship Program. to serve an additional 568 residents in training programs over the next two year.

As of January 1, 2020, employers are allowed tax credit for qualified educational expenses associated with qualifying apprentices.
CHECK OUT THE RESOURCES

  • Students interested in exploring career options?
  • Employers looking for opportunities to partner?
  • Educators supporting students exploring career interest?

Make sure to check out the newly launched COMPACT Website!

UPCOMING EVENTS
August 11 - 26th: Become a Junior Achievement Volunteer! Virtual Volunteer Meet Ups
happening throughout August. Contact Angie.Houck@ja.org to sign-up!

  • Grades 6-12 ~ 8:30 am - 11:30
  • Grades K-5 ~ 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

August 25th: BNHRC Session: Professional Burnout & Developing Resiliency

September 2nd: EWS Workshop: Practicing Professionalism @ Work - Heartland Community College

September 3rd: Ag Awareness Breakfast online, presented by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. Free to attend and open to community! Keynote Address: "Growing Our Community Together: How you can grow, buy, eat and live local"
THINGS TO KNOW
  • Check out local job opportunities with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Community Job Board.
  • Illinois Department of Human Resources- Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is available to assist people with disabilities in preparing for, finding, and maintaining quality employment. The DRS vocational program provides individual assessment, evaluation, career guidance & counseling, and financial support for training including certifications and academic degree programs. Interested in learning more? Staff are available at the Bloomington DRS office 309-662-1347 or learn more HERE.
  • Illinois Innovation Network announces seed funding recipients. Grants will use collaborative research to improve nutrition, turn trash into usable products, explore urban-rural connections, and enhance agriculture practices. Read More Here
  • New Report: Employers, Childcare, & Returning to Work in COVID-19 . Due to COVID-19, families now face immense pressure to re-evaluate how to meet their childcare needs. In June and July of 2020, the U.S. Chamber Foundation surveyed employers from across the country of every size and industry to understand the impact that childcare has on businesses’ ability to return to work. Read the Report
For information about COMPACT or information in this newsletter
contact Jancy LaFollette,Workforce Development/COMPACT Manager
STAY CONNECTED