Investing in the Future

AUTHOR: MAX SMITH

Region 10 ESC Digital Marketing Specialist

WHAT 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 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

others,” Wilson shared. “Our goal is to prepare students for postsecondary success and ensure students are future ready. Students enrolled in the Family and Community Services program will gain the skills and knowledge to help other healthcare professionals provide medical care, and help community members access available resources. We hope students in the program will secure jobs such as Community Liaison, Contact Tracer, Community Health Advocate, etc., and support meeting the needs of the community.” For Amy Wagner of La Vega ISD, she hopes the program will improve the medical care of residents living in rural counties and school districts, in addition to providing an opportunity for students to prepare for their future.

“Our district saw a need to provide health education and health resources to the residents of Oldham County and Vega. Our students understand the struggles of living in rural Texas, and this is a great opportunity to help prepare them for their futures, and maybe they will return or move to another rural area and help the residents in need,” Wagner said. “I hope that students are able to help educate our residents on the importance of taking care of their health throughout their lives, help our residents get in touch with the healthcare they are in need of, and give our residents an outlet for help.”

The first step for school districts interested in the program is getting teachers certified as instructors. From there, educators can implement the curriculum and complete the required hours with their students. Once complete, the students are able to apply for their certification.

For more information, go to www.ntxpaths.org.

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TIPS Purchasing Cooperative is an educational agency that offers national contract purchasing solutions to save your school district time and money in the procurement process. TIPS Rewards Dollars are based on all purchases processed Whitley Allen through TIPS.TIPS Program Manager - Region 10 whitley.allen@tips-usa.com 903-277-5531 MAP YOUR ROUTE TO REWARDS TODAY!