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Heartland Community College
receives grant to expand program for adults with developmental
disabilities
[January 06, 2026]
NORMAL, IL – Heartland
Community College will be expanding opportunities in a program for
individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and
learning challenges.
Funding administered from an Illinois Community College Board (ICCB)
Innovative Bridge and Transition grant will expand programming in
the Heartland Academy for Learning Opportunities (HALO) program. The
Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant program (IBT) funds are
intended to help colleges and community organizations meet four main
objectives, including transitions for students with disabilities.
The HALO program offers a higher education experience for students
18-28 with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and other
learning challenges. The program connects students with the
academic, social/recreational, and soft skills necessary for a
successful transition to adulthood.
“This funding furthers our efforts to support students participating
in our HALO program,” said Kori Folkerts, Heartland Director of
Student Access & Accommodation Services. “This is the fourth year of
IBT funding for HALO. During that time, we have been able to expand
the program to offer a Transition Year to assist students in
transitioning into college or the workforce with the support of
their peers and instructors.”
Through opportunity, support, and
access, HALO students develop increased confidence to function
independently on campus and in the community. Students gain
confidence in many skill areas, including cooking, managing money,
reading for life, computer technology, social development, community
awareness, health and wellness, independent living, and math for
life.
Previous funding from the IBT grant funded the expansion of the HALO
program to Heartland’s Pontiac campus. The FY26 grant will support
the extension of the Transition Year for students on the Pontiac
campus, as well as assist in the purchase of kitchen equipment for
the Main Campus in Normal. Funding will also support students
through tuition waivers for those in need.
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HALO students Will Raycraft and Kara Largent. Courtesy Heartland Community
College.
“The Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant Program continues to
be one of our most powerful tools for opening doors to education
and career opportunities across Illinois,” said ICCB Executive
Director Brian Durham. “These grants allow our colleges to build
strong, seamless pathways that help learners gain the skills
they need, connect with in-demand industries, and ultimately
achievelong-term economic mobility.”
Previous IBT grant funding helped Heartland develop four
additional courses for the HALO Expansion/Transition year:
Transition to College/Basic Skills, Success Education,
Professionalism/Career Preparation, and Social-Emotional
Development.
For more information about HALO and the program’s application
process, please visit
http://www.heartland.edu/halo.
[Steve Fast
Heartland Community College
Assistant to the President, Public Information]
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