April 11, 2023

There are so many opportunities this week! Lots of funding, including grant opportunities in Education, Healthcare and Community Programming; many events for connecting with students to share your programs; a mental health conference for FWCS students; and dynamic guest speakers for your classes.  

If you have a program, resource, or student opportunity you would like to share, please email Holly and I will add it to the next update.  

  OPPORTUNITIES  

• Grant Funding Available - The following healthcare and education grant opportunities are currently open:   

• AJA Foundation has funded many education pathway projects, and has a rolling deadline. https://www.ajafoundation.org/about-us/   
• May 1 deadline. These grants fund a variety of projects, have fairly simple applications, and you can apply for multiple funds. Be sure to look at the Baade, Campbell Beyer, Bowker, Guynn, Hayner, Kuhne, McMillen, Smyser, and Zollner opportunities.   https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/search-results/#searchtab   
• July 15 (general), Rolling (rapid) https://www.ballfdn.org/grants. While they focus on Delaware County, they do support other areas in Indiana, and fund a wide range of education and workforce projects. Great opportunity to partner with others.  

• AHEC Funds Student Travel - The deadline to apply for travel grants has been extended to May 8^th. Health Professions college students in Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley counties can use this link to apply for funds.  

• FWCS High School Mental Health Conference – April 19^th from 10am to 3pm. The Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council invites all FWCS high school students to a day of interactive sessions exploring topics such as anxiety, burnout, and worry. Lunch is included, so please RSVP by this Thursday, April 13^th. Please use this link for all the details.  

• Healthcare Guest Speakers – Feedback in our focus groups includes many requests for dynamic speakers and hands-on activities for students. Two of our healthcare partners would love to engage with your students, share info on career and college opportunities, and offer a variety of activities. Contact Susan Ford, American Senior Communities’ Community Talent Relationship Manager, and Kim DeOrto, Director, Northeast Indiana Area Health Education Center.  

• FAFSA Changes Coming – The Federal Student Aid office is making significant revisions designed to be more inclusive. Some of the changes include the FAFSA being translated into 11 languages, restrictions for past convictions removed, and simplified questions for homeless, orphaned and otherwise without parental information. The new application rolls out this December, for the 2024-25 school year. Read the press release and link to the advisor info sheet here.  

• College, Career, and Community Events - These upcoming events are offered by many of our regional partners to help students prepare for their futures:  

• Health and Resource Fair – Offering college admissions information, screenings, immunizations and services at the Renaissance Pointe YMCA from 4 – 7pm on April 13^th. More info here. The Spanish language flyer can be found here.  
• JA Healthcare Exploration Day – Friday, April 14th middle and high school students can explore local career paths and hear from industry professionals in the health sector. Contact Cassidy Hobson with questions.  
• IU Spring Campus Visit Day – Come check out the Health Education programs on Saturday, April 15^th from 1 – 4pm. Register here.  
• Heartland Career Center College and Career Fair from 9am – 2:30pm on April 19^th. More information is here.  
• Allen County Community Job Fair – Byron Health Center and Parkview Healthcare are participating in a job fair at Allen County Public Library on April 20, from 1-3 p.m. Check out the full list here.  
• Manchester University Junior Preview Week – Juniors who visit campus the week of April 24 to 28 can earn a $500 scholarship! Visits include Admissions information, a campus tour, a Q&A with current students, and complimentary lunch. More information can be found here. Questions?  800-852-3648 or admitinfo@manchester.edu  
• Summer IVY Tech/ASK Project Choices – For rising 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11^th grade students – Hands-on college planning and goal setting, June 26-29^th. Free and offers financial incentives to participants! Limited spots, so   

• Resources for Healthcare Career Awareness – Show your students the wide array of possibilities in healthcare with this pdf listing more than 100 healthcare careers within the five pathways of Therapeutic Services, Diagnostic Services, Health Informatics, Support Services, Biotechnology Research and Development. The National Consortium for Health Science Education has free downloadable resources here.