Founded in 1996, Notre Dame Education Center (NDEC-L) provides English language and citizenship classes, skills training and leadership development for learners seeking to become certified nursing assistants and home health aides. The classes are offered tuition-free or low-cost in a learning environment that is welcoming, respectful and dignified.
Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide Program (NAP) was created in response to area workforce needs. The program includes classroom instruction, clinical experience, and soft skills coaching necessary for finding and retaining employment.
The need for CNAs and Home Health Aides (HHAs) is growing faster than for workers in nearly every other job. In fact, there are more projected job openings for HHAs in the next decade than for any other occupation.
Students are followed post-graduation, with their successes and challenges tracked. From FY20 through FY22 100% of graduates obtained Home Health Aide Certification. In FY22, 75% of graduates entered healthcare employment vs 56% in FY20 and 72% in FY21.
The Women’s Fund three-year grant to NDEC-L will support the expansion of this program. This vital workforce development program serves and empowers a student population that is currently 93% female, with an average age of 33 years; 33% are single parents; 89% are low-income or extremely low-income; 85% are Latinx or people of color. In FY22, 100% had a high school diploma or GED.
Visit the Notre Dame Education Center Nursing Assistant Training.