IVCC to receive $890,000 grant for telehealth services, virtual dual-credit classes

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, announced that Illinois Valley Community College will receive $889,855 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program.

The grant will help the college provide telehealth services and virtual dual-credit classes to IVCC students and students at 10 partner schools in surrounding areas.

Underwood, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, secured funding for the program in the fiscal 2023 government funding omnibus.

“I’m thrilled to bring home federal resources that will directly benefit students at Illinois Valley Community College and 10 other schools in our community,” Underwood said. “I’ve heard from so many people who have been affected by recent hospital closures, including families and first responders, about the challenges they face when it comes to accessing medical care.

“Securing this grant is part of my ongoing work to protect and expand rural health care in northern Illinois. It’s especially important for young people to be able to access mental health services, and I’m pleased to see this grant help connect students to mental health professionals.

“I’ll keep fighting for investments like these that expand educational opportunities and access to mental health care in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties.”

The grant will help IVCC and 10 partner secondary schools purchase technology to connect mental health professionals with students, many of whom live in rural communities and face barriers to accessing care.

The technology also will be used to set up virtual learning classrooms at IVCC and its partner schools. These dedicated classrooms will create opportunities for students at small or rural schools to take dual-credit classes and increase collaboration between students and teachers at different schools.

This grant will serve 6,876 students at the following schools: IVCC, Mendota High School, Regional Office of Education Safe School in Peru, Ottawa High School, Hall High School in Spring Valley, Putnam County High School, Henry-Senachwine High School, La Salle-Peru High School, Marquette Academy, Serena High School and La Moille High School.