Two new coinciding programs are providing unique opportunities for students in health care classes at Santiago Canyon College.

This year, an English Language Learning Pathways grant was awarded to SCC’s Continuing Education via the Governor’s Care Economy Workforce Development Package. It is a three-year program to develop health care-focused pathways for English language learners, no matter how proficient they are in English.

Upon being awarded the grant funding, the Continuing Education department responded quickly and developed a vocational English-as-a-second-language program, with courses to support students who are pursuing health care careers, said Christine Gascon, dean of Instruction and Student Services in Continuing Education at Santiago Canyon College.

Students who primarily speak a language other than English can find it challenging to participate successfully in programs such as the one for Certified Nursing Assistant. These ESL classes help those students become familiar and comfortable with English terms and language used in health care settings.

“With the introduction of the new ESL for CNA and Caregiving Certificate, students can now participate in content-specific ESL classes that provide them with the language skills needed to be successful in their coursework and prepare them for licensing exams,” Gascon said.

At the same time, state Community College Chancellor Sonya Christian introduced a program called the United Domestic Workers Demonstration Project. Santiago Canyon College has partnered with UDW representatives to help union members improve their economic mobility.

The timing coincided with the implementation of the ELL Healthcare Pathways project, allowing UDW members to access the new ESL support classes offered.

The United Domestic Workers of America union has 171,000 members, according to its website, most of whom are women and people of color working as personal home care and family child care providers in California.

Just months after the state grant was approved, Gascon and other SCC administrators met with UDW union representatives to coordinate their efforts to inform potential students of this opportunity. The first cohort of students started this fall.

ESL for Healthcare Careers prepares students with the English language skills required to explore medical vocational programs offered through SCC Continuing Education. These programs include classes for careers such as caregiver/personal care aide, nursing assistant, nurse assistant for acute care, medical assistant, behavior technician, lactation educator specialist and medical billing.

A second course, ESL for Patient Care Skills, is designed specifically for students in the Nursing Assistant and Caregiver/Personal Care Aide programs. This class focuses on medical vocabulary, health care terms and concepts in English, and covers understanding medical instructions, vital signs, body mechanics and patient hygiene assistance, among other topics. Classes are taught online and in person to make them accessible to as many students as possible.

Santiago Canyon College and the union support these students in a variety of ways. “The union provides students with laptops, counseling, transportation and reimburses them for hourly wages,” Gascon said. “The union wants the best for their workers.”

Students also receive support from SCC – the college offers free bus passes and counseling. Students can also take advantage of SCC’s Basic Needs Center on campus and can access telemedicine services. “We have lots of programs to assist students to be able to be in school,” Gascon said.

The ESL classes are not only for SCC health care students and UDW members. “They’re open to anyone in the public – a friend, a neighbor, anyone,” said Gascon, who explained that the UDW union also encourages its members to bring family members into the ESL programs.

The partnership between SCC and United Domestic Workers also enables those who are already employed to move to the next level in a health care career. “We want to help students who need language support in their health care careers,” said Gascon, adding that she’s seen many SCC students move ahead in their jobs as a result of receiving training and industry-recognized certificates and licenses.

Students can complete stackable certificates, which can lead to promotions and increased wages. One of these pathways includes certificates to become a caregiver/personal care aide, nursing assistant and nurse assistant for acute care. Each time a student completes a certificate, they increase the opportunity to advance in their field.

These pathways can also prepare students to further their education and earn associate and bachelor’s degrees in health care, such as licensed vocational nurse and registered nurse).

Given the support that SCC has put in place, English language learners are much more likely to complete their vocational medical training and enter the workforce, Gascon said. The ultimate goal is to provide students with training that will lead to upward socioeconomic mobility and support the local workforce, where there is a high demand in the health field.