Community College of Denver (CCD)’s Foundational Skills Institute has been awarded three grants totaling $1,394,788 for ongoing work in providing educational resources for adult learners to earn a high school equivalency diploma, improve English as a second language (ESL) skills, and provide support for students going into certificate and degree programs. The grants are awarded through Colorado Department of Education and include state and federal support.

CCD’s Foundational Skills Institute (FSI) in partnership with the CCD Center for Workforce Initiatives (CWI/WIN), provides a career pathways college transition program for non-traditional students, who are at least seventeen-years old to continue their education with the goal of enabling them to discover and get started in a career.

“The goal of the Foundational Skills Institute is simple,” said Elizabeth Schroeder, director, of the program. “To create a quality educational environment in which diverse learners develop core skills, self-efficacy, and family stability. Through active classroom engagement and project-based learning, students accelerate passing the GED® & HiSet® tests for a high school equivalency diploma, while simultaneously developing the skills to succeed in college, career and life. We have helped hundreds of students achieve their goals of becoming financially independent through increased marketability in today’s workforce. This grant funding helps us continue our good work and also add critical employability and employment supports.”

The grants also support the FSI Accelerated programs to help students complete educational goals, obtain certificates and degrees at CCD, and get workplace skills training to help them qualify for jobs in the fields of healthcare (hands-on and administrative), advanced manufacturing, information technology, graphic design, architecture, and others. FSI helps students improve reading, writing and math skills, and the funding helps pay for tuition, books, childcare support, emergency financial needs, and more.

Most services within FSI are either free or provided at a reduced cost. ESL and high school equivalency (GED® & HiSet®) classes are available for a one-time fee of $60 and classes are offered year-round. FSI Accelerated program services are free to qualified applicants with or without a high school diploma. Individuals are invited to apply by contacting program navigators.

To learn more or apply for the program, visit CCD.edu/FSI.

About CCD

With more than 8,000 students, Community College of Denver (CCD) is the third-largest community college in Colorado and a leading point of entry to higher education for the city and county of Denver. CCD provides a cost-effective, high-quality college education to nontraditional students, along with access and opportunity, workforce development, training resources for local organizations and community partnerships. CCD is a federally funded Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS) and is one of 13 community colleges in the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). Learn more at www.CCD.edu.