In this present day and time, where can troubled youth, who desire a career in the medical field turn to, in order to obtain the education that they have once hoped for, but did not have the resources to reach that goal?  One way we have discovered to help these youth achieve this goal is by partnering with the Jefferson County WIA to offer a Youth Allied Health Careers Program (YAHC).

So what is the Youth Allied Health Careers Program?The Youth Allied Health Careers Program is a 5 week program that not only provides life skills, job readiness, parenting skills, mentoring, and other supportive services, but it also provides occupational training and skills at an Alabama certified site to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). This program is targeted for out-of school, low-income, youth ages 18-21 that are WIA eligible who are either pregnant and/or parenting or have a parent that is incarcerated or have been incarcerated.

Since the program inception, February 2010, we have successfully served over 30 participants in the training program. We currently have 7 participants who have each successfully completed the certification test and have now become state Certified Nursing Assistants with another group already in clinicals preparing for their state certification tests.This certification alone can now open the doors to a world of opportunities to them including: post-secondary education to become LPNs and RNs as well as other paraprofessional occupations.

There is no doubt that YAHC is an invaluable resource for youth seeking the skills and training that they need to excel in the health field, but even more so in the lives of those who are in need of a second chance. YAHC teaches them that if opportunity doesn't knock, don't give up, just build a path to another door.

Apply here