October 1, 2007
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
System Office Training and Development Center
Room 112
Minutes
Present: Jimmy Adams, Christal Albrecht, Elizabeth Chapman, Bill Coppola, Sarah David, Becky Gustamante, Linda Head, Julie Leidig, Ted Lewis, Katherine Miller, Abdul Tamimi, Susanne Thaler, Christina Todd
Absent: Terry Sawma, Cher Brock, Judy Murray
Recorder: Sherry Young
•I. New Program Development
Council members inquired as to what happened with 07/08 new program funds and who will make determination for these funds. Members should discuss with respective presidents. Lone Star College–Montgomery will not pursue certified medical assistant.
Action Item
Susanne will forwarding funding document that includes monetary requests as well as web page link to wage and demand data.
Susanne will update the New/Expansion Programs list to reflect changes.
Susanne presented the following for discussion:
Medical Staff Services - This profession has two components, credentialing and compliance. El Centro has the only program which offers an online AAS but the program has had only three graduates in the last three years. Susanne commented on results of September 18 focus group. Many participants had come up through the ranks and did not have degrees, however, did feel that this could be a requirement in the future and also necessary for advancement. In general focus group participants felt that a hybrid program with online and face-to-face instruction would be the most successful offering.
During discussion, members agreed that program should be introduced as a "centralized" DL offering on the CE side with a 12-hour certificate. Marketing element would be key component in success.
Long-Term Care Administration - Members were not interested in pursuing.
Assisted Living Facilities Management - Due to lack of response, the planned September 21 focus group was canceled. Two of the more successful programs are at Cedar Valley College (CE 24 hour course) and McClennan Community College (credit AAS), and it was noted that with 24 contact hours one could qualify as a facilities director. As regulations become more stringent, the need for certified employees could increase, particularly in increasingly regulated parts of this industry such as personal care homes. There does seem to be a potential for growth for these senior residential facilities as well as personal care homes due to aging population. Options were discussed as to how this might be bundled with established programs such as human services or management. NHC is the likely candidate for program placement.
Action Item
Susanne will have facilities mapped for Montgomery and Harris counties and present for further discussion regarding placement and program structure.
Corrosion Technology - Kilgore College has had this program for 20 years, and there is also a certificate program at Amarillo College that was started in 2004. Due to retirements in the next 10 years, it would appear that an additional program could be supported which was also affirmed by employer surveys. Cost of the program would be approximately $50,000 sans instructor salary, and the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) has offered their facility for testing. CFC is the college closest to the location of the NACE facilities which would be convenient for use of the field lab several times during the semester. NHC has a nondestructive testing component in the welding curriculum that would be a draw for students who are in the corrosion inspection field, a more advanced area of the corrosion prevention field. Challenges include structuring of program, salary for FT faculty.
Action Item
Members requested additional information as to location of businesses to determine placement.
Chem Lab Tech - The flagship program is located at TSTC Harlingen and placement of graduates has been very successful. Challenges do exist: the ability to hire a degreed chemist for the same cost as a technician, articulation factor, course construction, facilities and opposition of other Gulf Coast colleges. Members agreed to table and revisit in a few years.
•II. Lone Star College System@Work - Members would like input and final approval on suggested articles as well as link to respective colleges when appropriate. Also of concern were published telephone numbers. Inquiry was made as to tracking mechanisms.
Action Item
Members will forward Susanne corporate training contact information for respective campuses.
Susanne will check with Steve Lestarjette regarding tracking.
•III. DL Workforce Courses - Listing was reviewed and determination was made that this was a resource tool which could be used to develop various online course modules.
IV. Program Development Working Checklist - Document was reviewed and modifications were requested:
Item 7: Add college prepares draft of cost document
Item 8: Cost Document changed to Final Cost Document
Action Item
Susanne will distribute revised checklist with requested changes.
Comprehensive one-page timeline document will be distributed.
•V. Developing Working Guidelines for Delivery Training Across College Service Areas - Process has been implemented internally through mutual agreement of involved colleges. No further action necessary.