Inclusion Standards

Provider Requirements

In order to be considered a provider of a program, the organization or institution must be the entity to which applications for this particular program are submitted. Organizations that do not serve as the entity to which applications for this particular program are submitted but do offer some aspect of the training program are considered a partner organization to the provider. For example, in the case of a clinical rotation offered at a hospital to participants in a community college medical assisting program, the community college would be considered the program provider, while the hospital would be considered a partner organization.

Program Requirements

Age

Program must be accessible to individuals of approximate high school graduation age (18 years) or older. Programs that are accessible to individuals younger than 18 years of age are acceptable so long as they are not the sole audience. A program for individuals aged 16 – 24 years would meet this requirement, but a program for individuals 14 – 17 years would not meet this requirement.

Eligibility

Program must not require prior admission to an institution or program which an individual could not retroactively gain. A program that requires admission to a college as in the case of an associate degree program would meet this requirement, but a program that requires an individual to have attended a particular secondary school in the past would not meet this requirement.

Location

Programs located in Cook County, Illinois receive priority. Programs may be located in a nearby county, but are subject to review. Programs offered virtually (synchronously or asynchronously) from any location are acceptable so long as they do not require in-person attendance.

Employment focus

Program must be accessible to individuals of approximate high school graduation age (18 years) or older. Programs that are accessible to individuals younger than 18 years of age are acceptable so long as they are not the sole audience. A program for individuals aged 16 – 24 years would meet this requirement, but a program for individuals 14 – 17 years would not meet this requirement.

Career on-ramp

Program must not be a bachelor’s degree program, nor require a bachelor’s degree or enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program as a prerequisite for admission. Program may be a vocational school, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, sub-associate credential or certificate program, associate degree program, or bridge program. Programs of other non-bachelor’s degree designations may apply, but are subject to review.