Twice a week for 12 weeks, seven adults from the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood have been taking classes at the Cook Children’s Neighborhood Health Center at Las Vegas Trail to start a career in health care.
The Las Vegas Trail Workforce Development Training Program is a partnership with Cook Children’s, JPS Health Network, Tarrant County College (TCC) and Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County. The initiative equips adults with the essential skills for the medical administrative field, ranging from medical office duties to patient- and family-centered care.
“What makes this cohort and this type of training program different is that we guarantee interviews once the students complete the 12-week training program,” explained Christine Hernandez, Cook Children’s manager of workforce development.
For Kierra Miles, the program is a bridge to a lifelong dream of becoming a pediatric psychiatrist. A mother of one who grew up near the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood, Miles discovered the opportunity through her apartment’s resident portal.
“This is a good program because it works within communities that don’t have the resources that everyone else has,” said Miles.
The neighborhood was once a thriving job market anchored by Carswell Air Force Base. In 1993, the base closed its active-duty operations, resulting in an economic decline in the area.
“The goal is to give our students educational training so they are able to find a role that will change their economic ability,” said Hernandez.
The lack of stable and meaningful employment has led to an increase in poverty and crime in the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood. Cook Children’s Health Care System understands that health is not just about physical condition. It encompasses all aspects of the patient’s being. The training program is one way to ensure the health of the community, Hernandez explains.
“When you have the stress of not having a job, not having financial stability, giving these individuals an educational opportunity will help these future health care workers improve their overall lifestyle and well-being,” said Hernandez.
Mock interviews
Weeks before graduation, students sat down for mock interviews with hiring managers and human resources staff from JPS and Cook Children’s. It was a chance to practice communication skills taught in class, focus on empathy, and receive real-time feedback from the people who might soon be their colleagues.
“The training program was designed with the intention of making sure that we’re focused on the customer service skills that we are looking for to hire people in our organization,” explained Hernandez.
Jazmine Montejo Williamson, a mother of three, enjoyed speaking with employees from both health care entities to determine where she would be the best fit.
“It’s not just them trying to hire us; we get to see if we would be a good fit with them as well,” said Williamson.
She wants to return to the medical field. Williamson learned about the opportunity while at her current job. On her days off, she studies at the neighborhood health center. The mother of three says that thanks to her faith and the support of her family, she has not missed a day of class.
“My children tell me that they’re proud of me,” said Williamson as tears welled up in her eyes.
Her goal is to work in public relations for Cook Children’s.
A new chapter
On Dec. 18, the class reached a milestone: it became the first graduating class. During a private graduation ceremony, each student received a certificate of completion from Tarrant County College.
For Miles, the certificate represents more than a credential. It means a new sense of self.
“I feel way more confident,” she said. “I have the skills and the courage to actually go out and do it.”
Those moments make Hernandez proud, and as she reflected on the program’s impact on both the community and the participants’ families, she teared up.
“I see a lot of growth from them from the day that they walked into the program today,” said Hernandez. “To get to see the program come to fruition and see the final step, graduation, is a proud moment for me both professionally and personally. I am really looking forward to them using their new skills to land their dream job.”
Graduates have begun interviewing with JPS and Cook Children’s. Once a graduate is hired, they will go through that organization’s hiring process.
The next program begins in February. The deadline to register is Jan. 15. Interested applicants can apply here.
Source: Press release
