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The Northwest Ohio Pathway to Healthcare Careers (NOPHC) Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program at Zepf Center focuses on helping low-income individuals obtain the education and training needed to pursue a job in the healthcare field. This project also builds upon the community Bridges out of Poverty initiative, which focuses on empowering people to progress out of poverty.

Living in Bridgeport, CT, Nia, a single mom, found herself facing inadequate housing and very limited income. She trained as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), but had trouble finding a LPN job and struggled to make ends meet working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Nia was motivated to provide more for her family, and found the help she needed in The WorkPlace’s Health CareeRx Academy . The Health CareeRx Academy is a partnership of healthcare providers, employers, educators, trainers, and community-based organizations in coastal Connecticut that work together to train and prepare Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals for employment in healthcare occupations.

In 2017, Rasheda was a certified nursing assistant (CNA) trying to reach her goal of completing her licensed practical nurse (LPN) certification. On top of her prerequisite courses, the single mother of four young children worked 30-35 hours per week. Although she had a good family support system who assisted in caring for her children, she lacked the funding to complete her education.

Shawntray did what most people do who want to make a better life for themselves, she went to school and got a degree. After completing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, she realized entry-level jobs in her field barely paid enough to cover food and housing. To earn a decent living, she needed a master’s degree. But after racking up $30,000 worth of student loans, the prospect of taking on more debt was not appealing.

As a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipient, Audrey qualified to enroll in the Health Careers NW program offered by Worksystems, Inc. Health Careers NW prepares participants for training in healthcare career pathways, supports them through training completion, to help them find careers that offer family-sustaining employment. While working at the Portland Airport to make ends meet, Audrey began her journey to becoming a medical assistant (MA) in 2018.

Victoria’s journey began at Penn Valley Community College’s Registered Nurse Program in Kansas City, Missouri. Her college career faltered when she had her first child and needed employment. She thought her dream of working in the healthcare field was over until she came across the School of Phlebotomy website. Victoria was thrilled they offered weekend Medical Assistant programs that worked with her schedule.

Victoria came to the Full Employment Council and met with the Healthcare Coordinator. Victoria applied for and was accepted into the Missouri Healthcare Industry Training and Education (HITE) program. She immediately enrolled in the Medical Assistant program. She never missed a day of school and fell in love all over again with healthcare. HITE helped Victoria through her training by paying for her tuition, providing scrubs, a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and transportation assistance.

Greg worked as a Customer Service Representative in a call center housed in the same building as GoodCare , Goodwill Industries of the Valley’s Health Professions Opportunity Grants (HPOG) program office. He met Rick and Jeana, GoodCare staff who told him about the program. They explained that participants received academic and financial support to pursue a career in healthcare. Later, when faced with unemployment, Greg remembered their offer to help him find a new career path. Greg was concerned because he felt he did not possess any marketable job skills. He also was a recovering addict. Nevertheless, he knew he needed to make a change and was committed.

Leigha grew up in La Marque, Texas in a low-income home. Her mother worked at different healthcare facilities as a certified nurse aide (CNA) with long night shifts. Despite her mother’s efforts, it never seemed to be enough to keep their family stable.

Her mother’s healthcare career exposed Leigha to the field at an early age. Leigha loved the thought of helping others. Her mother exemplified a deep gratitude for her work and compassion despite the challenges of the job. Leigha admired her mother for persevering through her struggles and desired a career that would help people overcome adversity.

Amber was a young mother struggling to raise her two children when she walked into the Danielson American Job Center in east Connecticut. While working with an Employment Advocate (EA), she mentioned an interest in a career in healthcare. Her EA directed her to Health Careers Advancement Project (Health CAP) , an HPOG program facilitated by Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, Inc. Health CAP provides opportunities for TANF recipients and other low-income individuals to obtain occupational training in many healthcare tracks. Amber spoke to an HPOG navigator about how to enter the Health CAP program.

The Partnership to STEP UP in Health Careers (STEP-UP) program at the Chicago State University focuses on a multi-level approach to career improvement in high demand health professions. The program serves low-income individuals and TANF recipients in Chicago, especially the south side and the southern suburbs.