New Job Readiness Programs for Minorities Affected by COVID-19

La Familia Counseling Center (La Familia) is introducing two workforce development programs to bring Sacramento disadvantaged community members ways to rebound from the economic crisis brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Green Technology Training
In partnership with the California Mobility Center and SMUD, La Familia is seeking Sacramento residents who were displaced from the labor force due to COVID-19 and invites them to participate and receive training in manufacturing and vehicle technology. La Familia’s is looking for individuals interested in a new career to sign up early for the cohort coming up early November to be completed before the end of the calendar year. CMC students will receive 80 hours of job realigning training, coaching and potential placement at local advanced manufacturing companies upon completion.

The requirements to participate are: at least 18-years-old and living within the City of Sacramento and can provide documentation of the right to work and have been impacted by the pandemic. Training will be held virtually and at La Familia Counseling Center.

“The number of individuals seeking some sort of assistance at La Familia tripled since the pandemic first hit,” said Rachel Rios, La Familia’s Executive Director. “We are happy to partner with the California Mobility Center to add their program to our career center and provide innovative career pathways to people seeking training and employment and therefore provide their communities and their households with economic security for their future.”

Community Health
In Sacramento, and across the country, the majority of the people affected by the Coronavirus are minorities or those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. La Familia, in partnership with Los Rios Community College District, wants to be a part of the solution and implant community healthcare workers where they are needed most. La Familia kicked off their third cohort on October 15th, to participate in a Community Health Worker (CHW) Model to address the spread of COVID-19 in the Hispanic/Latino community. The one-year certificate program is designed to provide training in front line public health care with an understating of a connection to the communities they serve.

The students participating in the healthcare worker program will be aligned with a career coach to assist them during the course. Some of the students will be hired as community healthcare worker interns and/or paired with contact tracers. Upon completion, the career coaches will assist the graduates with securing employment.
“It continues to be a challenge for disadvantaged communities to have equitable access to health care and preventive services” said Rios. “Providing certificated Community Healthcare Workers who know their communities will help individuals advocate for their health and will empower them to understand their conditions and help to improve the overall community health needs.”
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About La Familia Counseling Center
La Familia Counseling Center, Inc. (La Familia) provides multicultural counseling, outreach and support services for children, youth, families and individuals of diverse backgrounds to help them overcome adversity and become empowered to succeed in their lives. For more than 40 years, La Familia has successfully operated programs that have been recognized on the local, state and national levels. All of La Familia’s services are free and bilingual staff members are available to meet the needs of our diverse community.

For more information please contact: Lilly Wyatt | lilly@lillywyattpr.com | 916-235-3134