09 Nov Second USDA Grant
Carteret Community College Awarded Second USDA Grant
Morehead City, N.C. (November 9, 2021) – Carteret Community College (Carteret CC) was awarded $508,751 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. Carteret CC is one of 105 projects funded by the USDA DLT grant program.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced $50 million of investments in 37 states and Puerto Rico. This program helps fund distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas to increase access to education, training and health care resources that are otherwise limited or unavailable. Carteret CC was one of five organizations chosen in North Carolina to receive funding, and the only NC Community College on the list.
“I am excited that Carteret Community College was selected for a second USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant. This grant allows the College to partner with community organizations and agencies to provide access to education and training,” stated Dr. Tracy Mancini, President of Carteret CC. “The grant award will not only benefit Carteret Community College, but all citizens of Carteret County.”
Carteret CC’s DLT project funding will be used to enhance the distance learning program to expand course offerings to include live, interactive synchronous continuing education courses, certifications, Peer Recovery Support Specialist training, substance abuse certificate programs, suicide prevention and opioid awareness training.
Carteret CC will also use equipment purchased through this grant to teach virtual classes in other subjects.
Students who are unable to attend classes on the College’s main campus due to incarceration and substance abuse treatment, as well as work schedules, transportation issues and those who cannot take online courses due to lack of internet connection or appropriate devices, will be able to further their training and education at a more accessible site.
“The College plans to offer courses from our Human Services certificate program synchronously at these sites. Clients or residents close to those sites will also be able to use the technology to take online courses, participate in telemedicine opportunities, and have internet access,” stated Dr. Mancini. “This outreach effort aligns with our commitment to expand the College’s ability to meet students and prospective learners where they are and to address barriers to education and training.”
In addition to upgrading several classrooms on campus, this grant funding will enable the College to put computers and other IT/AV equipment and software in communities/organizations throughout the county. Equipment will be installed at Hope Mission/Peer Recovery Center, Beaufort Housing Authority, Broad Street Clinic, MirIAm, Carteret Correctional Center, and Atlantic Elementary School.
“We at Carteret Correctional Center are very honored to partner with Carteret Community College to provide educational opportunities and job skills to our offender population,” stated Embery Morton, Warden at Carteret Correctional Center. “This partnership provides the necessary skills for the offenders to be successful in returning to the community.”
This is a second USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant for Carteret CC. The first award of $960,546 allowed the College to locate IT/AV equipment at Marine Science and Technology (MaST) Early College, East Carteret High School, The Bridge Downeast, Croatan High School, Carteret County Department of Social Services, Carteret County Fort Benjamin Recreational Center, Harlowe Community Center and Western Carteret Library. Equipment distribution and training for off-site partners began this month. The College hopes to install round two equipment in the summer of 2022.
If you would like to learn more about the course offerings at Carteret CC, visit www.Carteret.edu or call 252-222-6000.
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