The Community Partner Program Back to Work grant requires grantees to prioritize Coloradans who experienced economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide participants wraparound and financial support to access and complete their credential or degree within the grant term. The Colorado Recovery Plan, Developing Our Workforce, expands COSI's displaced worker grant, which was quickly deployed in Spring 2020.
This grant supports Coloradans displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic, including those laid off or furloughed, experienced decreased earnings, had job offers rescinded, could not enter the workforce because of adverse economic conditions, or suffered other economic loss. These workers have an incentive to reskill, upskill, or complete industry-recognized credentials to improve economic prospects for themselves and their communities. Upon signature of the Governor for SB21-232, a total of $15 million became available for this award cycle. This includes funding to expand 2020 displaced workers grant programs and to build and scale high-impact programs. Funding supports a specific number of completions over the term and will phase out upon completing the supplemental funding.
This project supports the short-term COVID-19 relief efforts and informs COSI's longer-term strategy around adults. COSI is particularly interested in which interventions, service models, and critical components of services have the most significant potential to improve enrollment, persistence, and completion outcomes for adults. Grantees must align with the Colorado Commission for Higher Education (CCHE) strategic plan goals and the Colorado Department of Higher Education's (CDHE) Affordability Roadmap. Specifically, this grant seeks to contribute to erasing equity gaps between the current attainment level for a demographic group (Hispanic (29%), African American (39%), and Native American (29%)) and the statewide 66% attainment goal. In addition, participants must enroll and complete a certification or degree program that aligns with Colorado Top Jobs. Grantees will support participants enrolling in Colorado public institution of higher education and ensuring persistence and credential or degree completion within the grant term.
- 2020 Awards
In spring of 2020 the COSI Board approved the use of funds to support workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Six higher education institutions were awarded funds to provide participants wraparound supports and scholarships to access and complete their credential or degree within the grant term. In 2021, the Colorado Recovery Plan, Developing Our Workforce, and SB21-232 expanded the program and provided an opportunity to increase funding for the Grantee's to increase participants, financial and wraparound program support, and extend the grant term.
- Arapahoe Community College Foundation $850,000
- Colorado Mesa University Foundation $850,000
- Colorado Mountain College Foundation $850,000
- Community College of Aurora $850,000
- Community College of Denver Foundation $850,000
- Metropolitan State University of Denver Foundation $850,000
- 2021 Awards
The Colorado Recovery Plan, Developing Our Workforce, expands COSI's displaced worker grant, which was quickly deployed in Spring 2020. Upon signature of the Governor for SB21-232, a total of $15 million will be available for this award cycle. This includes funding to expand 2020 displaced workers grant programs and to build and scale high-impact programs. Funding supports a specific number of completions over the term and will phase out upon completing the supplemental funding.
- Adams State University $850,000
- Colorado State University Pueblo $850,000
- Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance $850,000
- Emily Griffith Foundation $850,000
- Empowering Communities Globally $425,000
- Front Range Community College $850,000
- Lamar Community College Foundation $425,000
- Pickens Technical College $850,000
- Pikes Peak Community College Foundation $850,000
- Pikes Peak United Way $462,933
- Pueblo Community College $1,238,765.50
- University of Colorado Boulder $850,000
- University of Northern Colorado Foundation $850,000
- Western Colorado University $250,000
- Provider Resources
Resources to help you manage your Back to Work program are available on our Google Drive. Resources include:
- Promotional Videos
- Branding information
- Marketing and communications resources
- Finance documents
- Grantee health assessment information
- Frequently asked questions
- Student eligibility checklist
- Reporting resource
- Marketing Materials
Share our new COSI Back to Work videos! We have produced a series of seven videos highlight the program across the state and sharing student success stories.
Click the button below to access the communication and marketing materials that were developed by the CDHE communications team.
- Annual Reporting
- Annual reports are due August 1, 2024
- 2024 reports will include funds spent during Summer 2023 - Spring 2024.
- Templates and instructions can be found on the Google Drive.
- All reports must be submitted through the COSI Reporting Portal which opens May 1, 2024
- For more information on reporting requirements, see the COSI Reporting Policy
Reporting Support Sessions - Date & Time Meeting Link: Wednesday, July 10th, 2024: 1 p.m. Zoom Tuesday July 23rd, 2024: 9 a.m. Zoom Check out the COSI Calendar for a full list of all program events.
- COSI Point of Contact
lAmina Bouayad
COSI Program Manager