KCMSD students in CNA program featured on local newscast

MCC-Penn Valley, PREP-KC, and the Kansas City, Missouri School District recently launched the Health Sciences Accelerated Academy (HSAA). The program supports high school sophomores to not only complete high school, but also (during those three years) to complete college classes which prepare them for entry-level careers in health care, including Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training. 

Students were recently featured in a healthcare segment on Fox 4 News.

MCC-Penn Valley early college academy featured in news!

MCC-Penn Valley recently partnered with the Kansas City, Missouri School District to launch an early college academy. The project allows high school students to get a jump-start on college by taking a full load of classes.

The first group of students began taking classes in January. The partnership was featured in The Kansas City Star.

Penn Valley welcomes KCMSD students interested in health care careers

MCC-Penn Valley, PREP-KC, and the Kansas City, Missouri School District recently launched the Health Sciences Accelerated Academy (HSAA). The program supports high school sophomores to not only complete high school, but also (during those three years) to complete college classes which prepare them for entry-level careers in health care, including Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training.

A reception to welcome HSAA students and their families was held last month in the atrium of MCC-Penn Valley’s Health Science Institute.

The HSAA is a new and unique collaboration designed to prepare urban students for success in post-secondary education and in the workforce. “The HSAA is an exciting new pathway for urban high school students who are interested in a career in health care. It also eliminates the need for these students to take remedial classes when they enter community college since their class work and testing during the HSAA will provide them with the supports necessary to be well-prepared,” says Susan Wally, president of PREP-KC. “From the early stages of designing this initiative it has been a priority for the PREP-KC team because this program, and others we’re piloting, can improve college success and meet workforce needs in Kansas City.”

HSAA students will gain hands-on experience within the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute which includes a 10,000 sq. ft. virtual hospital that contains a fully functioning operating room, an emergency room, a neonatal intensive care unit, and patient rooms.

“The Kansas City, Missouri School District (KCMSD) is pleased to be part of a collaborative effort that will provide our students with college experiences and preparation for career opportunities,” said John Covington, KCMSD superintendent. “The HSAA program will give KCMSD students a significant competitive edge when applying for future positions in the health care industry.”

“We are very excited about working with PREP-KC and the Kansas City, Missouri School District to prepare urban high school students for careers in health care,” says Sandy McIlnay, director of MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute. “Our state-of-the-art health science institute is all about hands-on learning and real-life training to prepare students so they can hit the ground running when they start working at area hospitals and medical facilities.”

A critical shortage of well-prepared nurses and allied health workers is creating challenges for local hospitals and health care facilities. HSAA is one of several programs designed to meet this health care worker shortage.

Turning Lives Around: Workforce training program helps high school drop-outs achieve career success

Six young women with challenging pasts are now looking forward to bright futures, thanks to an MCC workforce training program that has given them a second chance at success.

The women, who all left their Kansas City, Mo. School District high schools before earning a diploma, are part of a drop-out recovery program operated by the school district and funded by the Full Employment Council. The program, called 21st Century, allows non-completers to take individualized courses of study to finish their required studies and earn a high school diploma. Now, the 21st Century program is extending beyond high school completion to help the students train for a career, through a partnership with MCC’s Institute for Workforce Innovation.

The six young women, who are all recent 21st Century graduates, are enrolled in a three-part training program at MCC where they will earn certifications in certified nurse assistant (CNA), level 1 medication aide and insulin administration. The group has completed the first phase of the training – earning their CNA certification – and will complete the other two certifications by August 1.

At a celebratory certification ceremony on Friday, June 18, representatives from 21st Century and MCC congratulated the students on their dedication and determination.

“This is the first step. Even if you can’t see the whole staircase yet, you’ve taken the first step so now you can go anywhere you want to go,” said Brenda Sanders, a seasoned healthcare professional who mentored the students during their CNA training.

In addition to providing a class mentor, the program also incorporated other special features to help ensure student success, including tutoring, meetings with potential employers, a clinical experience, transportation assistance and built-in individualized attention. Classes are held at the MCC-Penn Valley Health Science Institute, a brand new state-of-the-art healthcare training and education center that houses training for more than 20 different healthcare careers.

The students, who have overcome significant obstacles to succeed in the training program, were very appreciative for the individualized attention of the instructor, mentor, caseworkers and MCC program coordinators.

“Thank you for believing in us,” said Sparkle Donahue, a single mother whose 3 year-old daughter tagged along to the certification ceremony. “Now I can be a role model for my kids.”