Lone Star College-East Aldine Center is proud to announce the Center has received a $250,000 grant for a bilingual health care program. The TRUE (Texas Reskilling and Upskilling Through Education) grant was awarded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
LSC-East Aldine Center Dean Reyna Tippets is the project director.
“After visiting some of our local businesses and speaking to the employers and employees, we soon learned about the great demand for bilingual education in the East Aldine area,” Tippets said. “Our campus president, Dr. Melissa Gonzalez, has been a huge supporter of bringing bilingual education to our community and has given us full support to apply and complete all the required processes.”
The grant will provide funding for the following projects:
- CMA (Clinical Medical Assistant) Bilingual Certification Program
- Will prepare health professionals to perform clinical and administrative duties such as conducting basic tests and record-keeping. An instructor will provide in-class instruction and coordinate work-based learning with area healthcare providers, offering real-world, hands-on learning opportunities.
- Establish a New Healthcare Lab
- Provides a learning environment compatible with industry needs. Will utilize existing space; new instructional equipment and supplies will be purchased, such as exam tables, blood drawing chairs, and cancer screening kits.
- Program Outreach
- Outreach initiatives to increase student enrollment and completion, emphasizing two targeted populations: Bilingual learners and Displaced Workers. Would partner with community organizations such as Texas Workforce Solutions to assist students in completion, certification, and employment as a CMA.
- Provide Student Financial Support
- Financial Aid available; Students who meet eligibility requirements and enroll in the expanded program will receive $2,500 financial aid. Activity outcomes include disbursing the aid to 100% of qualified students toward program completion and CMA certification.
- Provide Workforce Advising and Job Readiness Support
- A full-time bilingual workforce coordinator will be hired to provide group and one-on-one support in program enrollment, graduating, career planning, instruction, and support for resume development, interview skills and professional attire, and accessing and use of the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop site.
LSC-Kingwood President Dr. Melissa Gonzalez said the grant will provide students with a pathway to learn new skills and improve their lives. “The goal is to make sure this grant is a success and that together, we can provide this great opportunity to the East Aldine community!”
For more information on all the programs offered at LSC-East Aldine Center, visit https://www.lonestar.edu/east-aldine-center.htm.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D. serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area. LSC has been named a 2023 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit Lonestar.edu.
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