Investing in the Future AUTHOR: MAX SMITH
Region 10 ESC Digital Marketing Specialist
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HAT would you do with $100,000? That was the question Region 10 Consultants Renda Songer and Julie Anderson answered over the summer. Having been awarded two Texas Education Agency CTE Summer Grants to support Region 10 initiatives, they were eager to start promoting new CTE programs of study and expanding opportunities for students. Of the many projects they considered, the Community Health Worker Instructor Certification option stood out. Its purpose is to introduce students across the state to a valuable opportunity for employment for years to come. “Region 10 decided to focus on this certification because it provides a valuable opportunity for students and schools. Students who earn the certification can start a job within their field at the age of 16. It is a high-need area, and our students can fill the gap,” Anderson shared. “The certification is a low-risk, high-reward option for schools to positively impact students, help LEAs with their accountability, and make great strides within CTE.” During the free Community Health Worker training, Region 10 trained 42 teachers as 41
Community Health Worker Instructors (CHWIs) from a range of Texas school districts. Thanks to grant funding, Region 10 was able to waive the $750 training fee and also provide teachers with the Foundations of Community Health Worker textbook, an iPad with a keyboard, a Logitech Crayon, and additional items. After completing the training, CHWIs are provided with access to the Texas Education Agency/Region 10 CHW Curriculum Resources that have been approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for use in their training programs. All participants are fully certified by the Texas DSHS as CHWIs. Region 10 estimates that during the 2021-22 school year, Texas schools that have joined the Region 10 CHW training program will certify more than 200 Community Health Workers. Latasha Wilson, Pflugerville ISD’s CTE Coordinator, hopes the training will help expand community outreach in her district. “The importance of the Community Health Worker program is, ‘the willingness to help others.’ By offering this program, we can help improve community outreach service availability and promote preventative care to
