For adults who haven’t completed high school, the path to career success can seem daunting. Sandburg’s Integrated Career and Academic Preparation Systems (ICAPS) program is changing that reality by offering an innovative approach that allows students to earn their high school diploma while gaining career credentials in high-demand fields.

“I had no idea any of this even existed. And I don’t think most people do,” said Becky Wade, bridge and transition services coordinator for Regional Office of Education No. 33 (ROE No. 33), which partners with Sandburg to deliver the ICAPS program. “In the summertime, I made it my job to market this so people know where to go to get their high school diploma and that we have all of these other extras we offer — and everything is practically free.”

This collaborative initiative provides a unique opportunity for adults who left high school without graduating. Unlike traditional adult education programs that focus solely on high school completion, ICAPS creates dual pathways that significantly accelerate the journey to employment in skilled careers.

How ICAPS Works

Students in the ICAPS program work toward two goals simultaneously: completing their Illinois High School Diploma (formerly known as GED) through ROE No. 33’s adult education program while enrolled in one of Sandburg’s career and technical education (CTE) certificate programs.

“If somebody wants to become a certified nursing assistant, which is a one-semester program at Sandburg — fall, spring or summer — they could be working toward their Illinois High School Diploma at the same time,” Wade said.

This concurrent enrollment approach means students can complete both credentials within the same semester, making them immediately employable in their chosen field.

Support Systems Make the Difference

What sets ICAPS apart is the comprehensive support with access to childcare, transportation, and financial assistance. Those enrolled in the program receive:

- A support staff member who attends classes with them 25% of the time
- Four additional hours of outside support each week for homework, studying, and high school diploma work
- Career counseling and planning through the Bridge to Careers program

“We’re learning about our students through the Bridge to Careers program,” Wade says. “We do interest surveys to see where they would be a good fit for a career when they graduate with their high school diploma.”

Available Career Pathways

Sandburg’s ICAPS program currently offers certificates in six CTE fields, with more in development:

- Automotive technology
- Basic computer
- Basic nursing assistant (CNA)
- Computer numerical control (CNC)
- Computer support (IT)
- Phlebotomy

Wade’s team is actively developing additional ICAPS pathways, including community health worker, industrial maintenance, and welding.

The focus is on entry-level programs without prerequisites that can be completed in a relatively short timeframe — typically six months or less — allowing students to enter the workforce quickly with marketable skills.

Making Education Accessible

The ROE No. 33 adult education programs, which include high school completion and English language learning, are funded by federal and state grants, making them completely free to participants. The program even covers the cost of required tests for high school completion.

For the career training portion, funding works in several ways depending on the student’s situation:

- Students who complete their high school diploma requirements during the program become eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA/Pell Grants) for their career training.
- Those under 24 years of age may qualify for WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding.
- The Innovative Bridge and Transition (IBT) grant currently provides funding for students who don’t qualify for other financial support.

“It’s literally completely free,” Wade said.

Serving a Larger Region

The ICAPS program serves Sandburg’s entire district, which includes all or part of Knox, Warren, Henderson, Mercer, Stark, Fulton, Hancock, Schuyler, Henry, and McDonough counties. Classes are offered at multiple locations to accommodate students throughout this large geographic area:

- Galesburg: ROE No. 33 office and Sandburg campus
- Monmouth: Former Willett School / Monmouth-Roseville School District office
- Carthage: Sandburg’s Carthage campus
- Bushnell: Community location
- Workplace programs: Including English classes at Smithfield in Monmouth

ICAPS also offers hybrid and online options through Essential Education for high school equivalency and Burlington English for language learning.

“We even offer English classes with incentives at the Smithfield facility in Monmouth before second shift and after first shift,” Wade said, highlighting the program’s flexibility to meet working adults where they are.

Getting Started

Adults interested in jumpstarting their education and career through ICAPS should start by enrolling in the adult education program. Contact Melinda Whiteman at 309.715.7311 to begin the process.

“If they decide they want to do one of the CTE programs, then our students can be enrolled in both programs if it’s within the same fiscal year,” Wade said. The program’s fiscal year runs from July 1–June 30.

Through ICAPS, Sandburg and ROE No. 33 are creating accessible pathways to educational and career advancement for adults throughout west-central Illinois—opening doors that many may have thought were permanently closed.