Building Pathways to a Brighter Future
Volunteers of America Texas
VOATX Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG)
Location: Houston, TX
OTHER GRANT INFORMATION
Six-Year Project Period: September 30, 2015 - September 29, 2021*
Annual Award Amount: $1,122,976
Type of Organization: Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than Institution of Higher Education)
Service Area: City of Houston and Harris County in Texas
Target Population: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients, low-income individuals, veterans, Latinos, refugees, immigrants, homeless individuals, and substance abuse treatment participants
FIVE-YEAR QUANTIFIABLE PROJECTIONS
Number of individuals that will be enrolled in the overall HPOG program: 1,125
Number of TANF recipients that will be enrolled: 675
Number of individual participants that will begin basic skills education: 1,000
Number of individual participants that will complete basic skills education: 950
Number of participants that will begin any healthcare occupational training: 925
Number of participants that will complete any healthcare occupational training: 750
Number of individual participants that will obtain employment in a healthcare occupation: 625
ABSTRACT
VOATX provides opportunities for TANF recipients and other low-income persons in Houston and Conroe, Texas, to obtain education, vocational training, and living wage employment in high-demand positions in the healthcare industry. Participants in the training program receive supportive services (e.g., case management, financial literacy education, income support, mentoring, workplace readiness, mental and behavioral health referrals, housing, transportation assistance, childcare, legal services) to assist in overcoming barriers to sustainable employment. Occupational training includes: Certified Nursing Assistant, Community Health Worker, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse, Surgical Technologist/Technician, Radiology Technician, Respiratory Therapist, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant/Technician, Home Health Aide, Medical Insurance Coder/Biller, Medical Records and Health Information Technician, and Patient Care Technician.
Through partnership with the Workforce Solutions-Gulf Coast Workforce Board, participants are connected to career readiness, professional development, technology access, and employment resources. VOATX has had success with the Workforce Connector program in conjunction with the Workforce Solutions-Northline office and is now established with the new Acres Home Workforce Solutions office. VOATX has successfully executed employer-led training programs with Lone Star Community College, CHI St. Luke, and Memorial Hermann Hospital systems for certified nursing assistants with a career pathway toward patient care technician. Both hospital systems participated in employer-led projects that resulted in 32 certified nursing assistants who bridged to patient care technician training. VOATX’s second year of the internship pilot with Texas Children’s Hospital yielded 45 medical billers and health information technicians, 31 of whom were hired. VOATX is working with the Office of Apprenticeship for licensed vocational nurse and registered nursing internships at Harris Health Systems.
*This second round of grant awards has been extended an additional 12 months, ending September 29, 2021.