Kellogg Community College in February was awarded a $350,000 grant to help revitalize the Emergency Medical Services workforce in Michigan.
The Emergency Medical Services Workforce (EMSW-2023) grant, issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, will cover the full cost of KCC Paramedic Certificate Program training for up to 18 students enrolling in the 2023-24 Paramedic Academy.
The scholarships will save new Paramedic students up to $15,000 each in academic program costs alone.
In addition to covering the cost of tuition and fees, textbooks, class supplies and other materials for students, the grant also will provide up to $1,300 to pay for things like gas and transportation, child care, uniforms and other assistive supports to help remove obstacles and increase their chances for success in the program.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this grant opportunity to students interested in advancing their EMS careers,” Clark Imus, EMS Education Program coordinator at KCC, said. “The EMSW-2023 grant will provide a significant cost savings to our Paramedic Certificate students, allowing them to focus on their training and their further careers in the field of emergency medical services.”
The program scholarships are first come, first served for eligible applicants, who must be licensed EMTs to apply. Applications are available now at kellogg.edu/ems and will be accepted until June 30 or until the program is full.
The grant also provides funds for EMS training facility upgrades including a program expansion that will allow KCC to offer the full Paramedic Program on the College’s Grahl Center campus in Coldwater. Additional grant funds are allocated for a dedicated program “Navigator” to offer coaching and counseling services specifically for 2023-24 Paramedic Program students.
“This grant is a game changer for our paramedic program and for EMS education in Michigan,” Tonya Forbes, vice president for Instruction at KCC, said. “By expanding our program offerings and providing additional support services for students, we can help address the critical shortage of paramedics statewide and provide students with the training they need to succeed in this high-demand field.”
KCC’s Paramedic Certificate Program is a 15-month, four-semester program featuring hands-on training for EMS professionals interested in advancing their skills and their career. It’s one of several laddered EMS credentials offered as part of the College’s robust EMS Program, which also include the one-course Medical First Responder (MFR) Certificate Program; the five-course Basic EMT Certificate Program; and the full five-semester Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services degree program.
KCC also offers professional UMBC Critical Care Certificate (Adult and Pediatric), EMS Instructor/Coordinator Certificate and Community Integrated Paramedic training.
The MDHHS issued a call for competitive proposals for EMSW-2023 grant funding in November, with a focus on establishing, implementing and operating workforce development programs, “tasked with training people in emergency medical services to address the critical shortage of paramedics statewide and to increase accessibility to EMS educational programming, specifically paramedic programs, in Michigan.”
KCC was awarded the maximum amount available for single applicants, ranking first among all community college applicants in the state. Per grant requirements all funds must be used by Sept. 30.
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.