Bill Text: MS SC565 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize Tri-County Workforce Alliance Youth Development Program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC565 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2018-SC565-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Jordan, Simmons (13th), Barnett, Jackson (32nd), Norwood, Simmons (12th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 565
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE TRI-COUNTY WORKFORCE ALLIANCE (TCWA) IN CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI, FOR ITS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the Tri-County Workforce Alliance (TCWA) is a nonprofit community-based organization in Clarksdale, Mississippi, that seeks to improve the economic livelihoods and well-being of families living in rural and economically vulnerable communities. Although its name suggests service in three counties, TCWA has expanded its work to cover a five-county region in the Mississippi Delta: Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, Sunflower and Tallahatchie Counties; and
WHEREAS, it offers middle school, high-school and young adult health education, and workforce development programs embedded in larger networks to address socioeconomic challenges. Focusing on human resource development in health-related fields, TCWA is building educational and career pathways, reducing the health care workforce shortage, and advancing local capacity to address health disparities; and
WHEREAS, the TCWA programs for youth include the Middle School Academy for Science, Math, and Reading for Potential Health Care Professionals and the High School Mentorship Program in Health Care Professions. Additional youth are served through broader initiatives that TCWA engages in, namely: high-school health councils; Problem Solving for Better Health™ workshops; Ready, Set, Go summer camps; and other initiatives. It is also expanding services for young adults and parents. The middle and high-school year-round programs serve 160 students (35 middle school and 125 high school) during the current 2017-2018 academic year; and
WHEREAS, the Middle School Academy for Science, Math, and Reading for Potential Health Care Professionals was first implemented in 2011 to serve sixth- through eighth-grade students from two counties. Academic enrichment and professional development programming is provided, including Saturday events during the academic year and a multiweek summer institute (32 students participated in the summer institute in 2017), where they received instruction in reading, mathematics and science. Students also engaged in health and wellness assessment projects where they worked with friends, family members, and other community residents facing chronic illnesses. Students must research diseases, engage health care providers, and serve the community; and
WHEREAS, the High School Mentorship Program in Health Care Professions was started in 2009 and now works with students in ninth through twelfth grades from all five of the service counties. It provides academic support, college visits, experiential learning opportunities and positive social networks for youth who are interested in attending college and pursuing employment in health care professions. High-school students engage in job shadowing with a nurse, doctor or other health care professional for at least three hours a week up to 60 hours and attend a residential summer institute where they receive college preparatory enrichment (34 students participated in the summer institute in 2017). Partner sites for shadowing range from federally-qualified community health centers and private clinics to hospitals. Thirty-nine students were engaged in job shadowing in the fall of 2017, and 48 students were taking dual enrollment courses; and
WHEREAS, TCWA leads these programs, and it collaborates with other organizations through a larger network called the New Pathways to Health and Opportunity Initiative. The network includes the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc., (AEH), Mississippi Hospital Association Foundation (MHA-F), Dreyfus Health Foundation (DHF) of The Rogosin Institute and its Center for Health Action and Policy, and the University of Mississippi (UM) Center for Population Studies (CPS) and its academic minor in Society and Health (SOHE). These connections benefit TCWA participants. When high-school participants are in their senior year, they are eligible to take classes to become certified nursing assistants (CNA), phlebotomists, or echocardiogram (EKG) technicians through community colleges with the help of MHA-F at no cost to program participants. Alternatively, they can expand academic coursework through dual-enrollment classes in partnership with high schools and community colleges; and
WHEREAS, since the fall of 2016, TCWA youth have been able to participate in a community-based research project focused on drinking water quality and health risks from lead, working with the UM CPS, the School of Pharmacy Toxicology Program, and the School of Law Sea Grant Program. To date, 88 families have participated, having their water tested and participating in a survey; and
WHEREAS, TCWA seeks to energize students' aspirations for higher education and careers in the health professions. When asked about their aspirations and goals, 91% of former TCWA participants reported that they were more likely to achieve their educational and career goals because of participating in the programs. The range of responses included expanding general knowledge, gaining specific skills, being oriented to school and careers early on, and learning to "aim high"; and
WHEREAS, TCWA continues to develop its youth programs to help improve students' educational outcomes, prepare for and enter college and pursue careers in health-related fields. Evaluation has demonstrated positive outputs. short-term outcomes and participant satisfaction. TCWA seeks to improve by using data to inform planning, especially for students' academic skills and family level impacts; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend this Mississippi Delta educational initiative which is a model of inspiration for the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the Tri-County Workforce Alliance (TCWA) in Clarksdale, Mississippi, for its youth development program, and extend to the Board of Directors and Executive Director of TCWA our congratulations and encouragement for continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Executive Director and Board of Directors of the TCWA and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
