Lives changed, futures strengthened: CHCA stories

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/03/2023 (1294 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Much ink has been spilled over the recent decision by some trustees of the Brandon School Division to end a partnership, which they initiated with Assiniboine in 2010, to fund the establishment of a comprehensive health-care aide (CHCA) program as an option inside the K-12 school system.

I know many members of the community are frustrated by the ever-changing rationale presented by some trustees. They cancelled the relationship last year based on some reasons (mostly funding), then didn’t reinstate this year based on a different set of reasons (often citing mandate). All this despite having signed a memorandum of understanding in April 2021 to keep the partnership going, and after having voted for it 11 years in a row.

However, I want to leave that to the side today and focus on what I think the important issue was, and is — this program provided opportunity for students to be successful and go on to a better life. In my view, helping students climb that ladder is what education is all about.

Please, let me share some of the stories and faces of the CHCA program over the past few years.

JILLIAN MABON (GRADUATE, 2020)

Jillian Mabon, who is about to graduate with a diploma in practical nursing, didn’t always dream of becoming a nurse, but her experience in the CHCA program offered through Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School changed the trajectory of her career and life.

She participated in the program as an opportunity to explore and learn more about a career in health care, which allowed her to jump quickly into a career and save money for post-secondary education. Working in the field gave her insight into how the health-care system works, and she decided to apply for the college’s practical nursing program to begin her studies in the fall of 2021.

She is excited to return to the workforce, which desperately needs more nurses. Without the health-care aide program at Crocus, Jillian would not have been introduced to careers in health care and she likely would not soon be entering a career as a licensed practical nurse.

MICHAEL JOHN (GRADUATE, 2018)

Michael John has been working as a health-care aide in the Centre for Adult Psychiatry (CAP) for the past four years. He had a long-held dream to be a nurse, and his sister had previously taken the CHCA program at Crocus, so he thought it was the perfect way to test the waters, while relying on the comfort of a high school setting.

The program helped make his high school experience more enjoyable. He was able to focus on his future and something he was passionate about pursuing, even before he received his high school diploma. Getting a glimpse into the world of nursing prior to graduation gave him reassurance that he was on the right path.

He is now working part-time at CAP while completing his first year in psychiatric nursing at Brandon University. As a bonus, he received some credit at BU for his health-care aide program, saving him time and money on course fees.

KIERRA PLAYFORD (GRADUATE, 2022)

Kierra Playford is a health-care aide working at the Dakota Oyate Lodge, a personal care home in Sioux Valley. She recalls her experience in the CHCA program as “amazing” and was thrilled she had the opportunity to take it.

She credits her instructors with preparing her for the real-world experience of entering the health-care field. This set her up for success after high school.

Kierra notes her success in the program also came from being surrounded by the support of her high school friends, as she was able to take this program in the comfort of Crocus Plains, which was familiar to her.

Having the tuition-free option through high school made the program accessible for her. She feels that the program gave her an opportunity that many don’t get — to receive training and kick-start a career path with growth options.

Kierra is currently enrolled in an anatomy and physiology class as a way to explore the possibility of taking the practical nursing program.

NELLY ALONZO (GRADUATE, 2019)

Nelly Alonzo is currently working on 400/500 (acute medical ward) as a health-care aide at the Brandon Regional Health Centre.

She loves being around people and loves caring for them — two traits that are common among front line health-care workers. Taking the CHCA program offered at Crocus Plains was a perfect opportunity for her to get a feel for her prospective career path, with minimal risk.

Like many high school students, Nelly had an idea of what career she thought she wanted to pursue. She thought she wanted to be a nurse, but worried about entering the field and not enjoying it. This program allowed her to work to complete her high school education and CHCA certificate at the same time. This allowed her to get into the workforce quickly, get a great job and start making a living.

MELANIE KOZAKEVICH (GRADUATE, 2021)

A current practical nursing diploma student, Melanie Kozakevich, graduated from the CHCA program at Crocus in 2021. Kozakevich credits the CHCA program with introducing her to the world of health care and giving her the confidence to make this life-altering career decision. Her newfound knowledge and skills gave her a major advantage when she entered into the practical nursing program at Assiniboine.

Melanie went back to speak to students at Crocus the year after she graduated to encourage them on their journeys.

She notes the program at Crocus provided a low-stakes environment for those curious about health care and helped her develop important skills such as empathy, time management and teamwork. “I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity,” Kozakevich told us.

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These are but five stories of lives changed and futures strengthened. There are hundreds of them.

Budgets are about priorities. I appreciate that sometimes not all laudable ideas and activities can be supported as there on limits on the public purse.

However, to think of the development and preparation of these high school students for life, for work and for further education as “outside of mandate,” rings hollow to me. Especially when BSD initiated the deal in 2010 and as recently as 2021, the chairperson of the trustees signed the MOU to keep the partnership going.

Other school divisions have been reaching out to the college. They are interested. They see value in their students and communities. They don’t pretend to see it as outside of their mandates.

We remain committed to working with administration at Brandon School Division and Crocus Plains High School to find ways to keep the partnership in place.

to offer opportunities to more students like Jillian, Michael, Kierra, Nelly and Melanie.