NoteWorthy – 11/15/20

AROUND THE VALLEY

NECC Report Makes Recommendations for Post-Pandemic Health Care Education

Northern Essex Community College (NECC) has released a report that will help community colleges, employers and policymakers statewide develop new learning models for educating allied health professionals, such as medical assistants, technicians, LPN’s, respiratory care therapists and radiologic technicians.

The publication, Creating More “Pockets of Good”:  Fostering Innovation in Post-Pandemic Health Care Education, was funded by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education through its Higher Education Innovation Fund and written by Volta Learning Group, a higher education consulting firm. It reflects input from educators, practitioners and policymakers as well as extensive research.

Included in the report are seven specific steps policy makers, educators, regulators and employers can take to help advance the front-line health care workforce of the future.

Lane Glenn, president of NECC, said “This report is going to result in better health care for Massachusetts citizens. We will use the findings to help secure funding and partnerships that will lead to improved health care education.”

 

Community Action in Haverhill Receives $1 Million Grant

The Baker-Polito Administration and the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) announced $6.5 million in Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) grant funding was awarded to seven organizations to help them renovate child care facilities that serve low-income children.

Among the recipients was Haverhill’s Community Action Incorporated. With their grant, the nonprofit plans to upgrade the facility at the existing Fox Center Head Start program by installing a new HVAC system and roof. The program serves 106 toddlers and preschoolers, all of whom come from low-income families.

 

NECC Selected to Partner with the US Navy

Northern Essex Community College (NECC) has been selected as one of 119 community colleges throughout the country to partner with the United States Navy in establishing the United States Naval Community College (USNCC).

The USNCC was created as a result of a survey that found that the talent and intellectual potential of America’s enlisted sailors and marines was not being fully utilized.

A request for proposals was shared nationally and 250 colleges responded, including Northern Essex.

“This is an endorsement of our cutting-edge programs and our strong online options,” said Lane Glenn, president of NECC. “As the son of a career Marine, I am excited that Northern Essex will be able to play a role in strengthening the skills of our military.”

 

YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts and City of Lawrence Partner for Domestic Violence

The YWCA and the City of Lawrence recently received a federal grant to provide transitional, short term housing assistance and support services to individuals fleeing domestic violence. This grant, provided by the Office for Violence Against Women (OVW), will also help those victims of sexual assault, dating or stalking violence.

The vision of this funding is to create a robust safety net for survivors of domestic violence by supporting existing transitional housing, increasing transitional housing and service availability, creating a network of landlords amenable to providing transitional housing for program participants, and empowering victims through workforce development to move toward self-sufficiency. The proposed project is a direct response to the high prevalence of domestic violence and the compelling need for all services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault living in Lawrence and surrounding Essex County communities.

YWCA will partner with the city of Lawrence and MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center to bring six additional units of transitional housing and support services for survivors of domestic violence in the city of Lawrence. MassHire will give participants access to workforce development and job training programs.

 

2020 Sea Festival of Trees

For seven years, the Sea Festival of Trees has been a popular holiday tradition with more than 26,000 visitors annually. In 2020, the holiday fundraiser will present a magnificent display of high-value Showcase Trees with cash and prizes totaling $10,000 in the lobby of Blue Ocean Event Center, as well as creatively themed trees viewable in select local community storefront windows. The goal is to bring holiday joy and spirit to all during a year when it is needed most. As always, each tree will go home with a lucky winner. This year’s festival dates are Saturday, Nov.28, to Sunday, Dec. 20.

 

Holiday Shopping Made Easy With Western Avenue

Western Avenue (WA) artists are taking a two-tiered approach to engage with art lovers to make the giving of a creative gift easier this holiday season.

As the weather gets colder, some intrepid artists will join together to present Outdoor Art Markets on Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, from 12 to 4 p.m. Thirty artists will set up in the parking lots hoping for a sunny day that will allow the artists and visitors to shop but keep a safe distance all the times.

Henry Marte, Western Avenue’s marketing manager, knows not all artists and their work will be able to be outside so he is turning the WA Instagram feed into a creative catalog for the holidays. From Nov. 28 up until the Dec. 20, Western Avenue will be going virtual – using their Instagram feed to preview a wide variety of creative gifts. It will showcase items Western Avenue artists have for sale on their website, or on another online shopping portal – so the interested buyer can click through and start the purchase.

***

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Kathy Duckett Joins Home Health Foundation as Director of Advanced Care at Home

Kathy Duckett has joined Home Health Foundation, a Lawrence-based nonprofit organization, as director of advanced care at home. The new department is based at Circle Home in Lowell, a provider agency of Home Health Foundation and part of Wellforce Health System.

In her new role, Duckett is responsible for higher acuity care and alternative care in the home involving telehealth, wound care, infusion and cardiac care within the Wellforce-wide INitiative in Cardiovascular Care (WINCC).

Fidelity House CRC Welcomes Two New Members to Board of Directors

Fidelity House CRC (FHCRC), a Lawrence and Haverhill-based nonprofit organization, has announced the appointment of Charlette Wheeden and Jose Pino to its board of directors.

Weeden serves as the CFO at Haverhill Bank, and she has been a donor and supporter of FHCRC for many years. Charlette has extensive experience as a prior board member of other local nonprofits throughout her career.

Jose Pino has served as a volunteer at Fidelity House CRC for over 5 years, assisting with numerous fundraising events. As a longtime contributor, Jose’s familiarity with the work of FHCRC and his broader experience in community relations will allow him to have an immediate impact within the organization.