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Ed Fund member Kristy Spencer was working as a Medical Assistant at Kaiser Permanente Skyline in Oregon with dreams of moving up in her healthcare career. The Education Fund helped her complete her prerequisite courses and enroll in a program to earn her associate degree through Portland Community College. Thanks to the program being offered fully online, she was able to continue going to work and raising her family without disrupting her life too much. She wants members to know that
[the Education Fund’s] team is there to support you along the way and help you complete your goals.
“As a single mother it has helped me not be afraid to enroll in classes because I know financially I can afford it now.”
– Andrea Sealy
In celebration of the Education Fund’s 20th anniversary, we’re sharing stories of the Ed Fund’s profound impact on our members’ lives through the years. In 2020, when asked how we assisted Andrea Sealy in working towards her goal of becoming an LVN, she expressed these kind words. Let’s cheer Andrea on as she continues to chase her goals and thrive in her journey!
What better way to celebrate our 20th anniversary than taking a look at how far we’ve come? This peek into the Education Fund’s 2009-2010 annual report shares some of the amazing things we’ve been able to accomplish over the years.
2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PILOTED A NEW 16-HOUR COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS CLASS, specifically designed for healthcare employees who have little or no knowledge of computers or for whom English is a second language.
TRANSFORMED THE WAY WE PROVIDE PREREQUISITE CLASSES through the introduction of our STEP (Success Through Educational Preparation) program. STEP is a series of English, math and science classes offered as a multi-semester package to prepare students for entry into nursing and allied health training programs. Students proceed through classes as part of a casual cohort, and receive tutoring and introductory bridge classes before taking each science course.
DEVELOPED OUR PROPRIETARY NCLEX-RN REVIEW COURSE curriculum for a 16-week course designed to assist foreign-trained nurses to prepare for and pass the NCLEX exam.
PILOTED A NEW BRIDGE MODULE which incorporates online learning to The Anatomy Bridge, and prepares students to enter a college anatomy course. The module includes supplemental exercises, readings and videos to enhance learning and creates a virtual classroom for students to continue to interact and learn outside of the classroom.
IMPLEMENTED A NINE-WEEK WORKPLACE ENGLISH SKILLS training for Long Term Care employees in San Francisco.
PILOTED NEW ON-SITE SERVICES MODEL, offering career counseling and academic support workshops and classes at participating facilities.
INCREASED PARTICIPATION at Career Day events by offering more events in conjunction with participating facilities.
DEVELOPED A NEW CAREER COUNSELING WORKSHOP called Moving Up in Allied Health, which provides advice and assistance to those interested in career paths other than nursing.
KICKED OFF NEW MATH REFRESHER CLASS to support students who need to overcome math barriers in order to enter science prerequisite classes.
OPENED A NEW EDUCATION FUND OFFICE in Las Vegas, NV.
2010 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
OVER 11,000 ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES WERE REACHED (a 23% increase over 2009).
95% OF STUDENTS who responded to surveys feel better equipped to perform their jobs.
IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM KAISER, we designed and implemented a 4-week Patient Care Technician program in Northern California that trained 238 participants in four months.
IN COLLABORATION WITH PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN OREGON, we offered a part-time Dental Hygiene program, the first of its kind in that region. Seven participants are currently in training;
14 MORE COLORADO PHARMACY TECHS completed our certification exam review class, for a total of 85 Pharmacy Techs trained in two years.
EXPANDED STEP (Success Through Educational Preparation, our college prerequisite program) to include 47 colleges, and greatly increased the number of classes available through self-registration. The number of applications for Spring 2010 increased by 30% over Spring 2010 to over 1,300. Of those who successfully completed classes in fall 2010, 75% received a grade of “A” or “B.”
“I have long sung the praises of the Education Fund benefits and pointed many of my coworkers in their direction. They are now taking advantage of opportunity of having this extra support to improve their marketability and fulfill some long-held education dreams.”
– Arkesha Elliott
To kick off this inspiring sample of quotes from learners through the years in celebration of our 20th anniversary, we highlight Arkesha’s inspiring journey with Kaiser Permanente Colorado. Leveraging the Education Fund’s tuition reimbursement through the College Courses program, she advanced her career by fulfilling prerequisites for nursing and allied health fields. Her goal? To earn a nursing degree and a Master’s of Health Administration, aiming for a leadership role in healthcare. Arkesha’s story exemplifies the Education Fund’s vital role in empowering healthcare professionals to reach new heights.
As we mark the twentieth anniversary of the Education Fund, we’re proud to re-share an inspiring video featuring the story of member Sally Rozenblad’s transformative journey through the Education Fund’s Coder Apprenticeship Program. This story showcases the role of the apprenticeship in providing valuable coding skills and career advancement opportunities, thanks to the support of the Education Fund, unions, and our employer partners. Revisit this inspiring journey with us, a testament to our ongoing commitment to empowering our members.
