LEWISTON, Idaho – Lewis Clark State College was awarded $940,000 worth of grant funding from the United States Department of Education (ED) to support the Students and Professionals Accessing Resources in the Community (SPARC) program.
Funding will be received over a five-year period and will allow the program to provide and improve employment training and services to SPARC students. Funding allotments will go toward hiring a new employment coordinator and purchasing supplies such as computers. The new employment coordinator will assist in job training and job placements.
LC State assistant professor Heather Welsh-Griffin collaborated with faculty from Boise State University and the University of Idaho when applying for funding. In total, the three schools received $7.8 million worth of funding to improve competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes. They will accomplish this by utilizing a multi-pronged approach which supports Idaho inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE), develops student skills to better prepare them for CIE, and works to increase IPSE and CIE awareness.
The SPARC program functions in partnership with the Lewiston Independent School District and is dedicated to teaching students with disabilities aged 18-21 key skills such as independence, employment, success, and happiness. Students attend an academic and functional program each morning focused on their goals post-school. In the afternoon, students gain experience at worksites throughout the community. Students are also given access to LC State’s gym, library, clubs, and other campus activities.
To learn more about LC State’s SPARC program visit: www.lcsc.edu/education/clubs-and-organizations