NORWICH – The forecast for adult learners in Chenango County includes an extra heavy dose of education, increasing their job qualifications, as well as exacting irreversible and positive changes in their lives, thanks to a $1,200,000 grant received by the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego Board of Cooperative Educational Services Adult and Continuing Education Department.

The grant comes from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and will reimburse DCMO BOCES over a four-year period based on the successes of the program’s adult learners.

“I’ve been writing grants for 16 years here and this is by far the largest one we have received,” said Linda Thomas, DCMO BOCES employment and training programs coordinator, financial aid advisor, and grant writer. “It’s going to be just great for residents in the area.”

BOCES’ Leading Education for Gainful Employment program will benefit greatly from the grant. The Leading EDGE program is specifically geared to help students with job preparedness and to gain employment.

“We have had students who range in age from 17 to 80 and we take everybody,” said Thomas.