Carl D. Perkins students attend unveiling of “Appalachia Proud” branding

On Feb. 17, Carl D. Perkins Office Administration student Dimitri Bien-Aime and Culinary Arts student Jazzmine Mathis traveled to Hindman, Ky., with Perkins Business Community Liaison Jimmie Slone to attend the unveiling of the state’s “Appalachia Proud” brand to boost agriculture in Eastern Kentucky.

The students heard from Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who discussed the revitalization of Eastern Kentucky’s economy through agriculture and getting young people involved by working with community colleges, high schools and activating Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters in every school district in the region.  Students also got to visit Kentucky vendors from 37 different counties. The vendors offered products made in their county; the products included but were not limited to honey, jams, candy, locally grown produce and crafts.

Students Bien-Aime and Mathis both stated that they had a “better understanding of Kentucky’s culture by attending this event.”

The students also had an opportunity to talk with McConnell and Paul about their accomplishments while attending the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center and their future plans once completing the program.

Carl D. Perkins BCL Jimmie Slone and students Jazzmine Mathis and Dimitri Bien-Aime meet with Sen. Rand Paul, left, and Sen. Mitch McConnell during the unveiling of the "Appalachia Proud" branding.

Charleston Job Corps grad now working for AMTRAX

Charleston Job Corps graduate Champagne Hill is now employed by AMTRAX, Mass Transit, in Queens, N.Y., making $16.49 an hour as a coach cleaner. Following her six-month trial period, Hill hopes to advance in the company to attending customers on the train. Her current duties include cleaning trains and diner cars, and making sure the train is presentable for customers.

Hill arrived at the Charleston Job Corps Center in June 2011 with her High School Diploma, and completed the Office Administration career technical training program.  From Charleston, Hill transferred in April 2013 to the Transportation Communications Union advanced training program for AMTRAX Mass Transit and Railroad Freight Clerk at the Shriver Job Corps Center in Devens, Mass.

Hill currently is living in the Bronx, N.Y. with her grandmother.

Congratulations Champagne!

County EMS visits Muhlenberg Job Corps

On Jan. 29, Johnny Hocker of the Muhlenberg County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), visited the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center health career students to discuss the role of EMS is responding to medical emergencies. Hocker explained to the students that EMS is an emergency medical care service to maintain and enhance the local community’s health and safety. Though, EMS is most easily recognized when emergency vehicles or helicopters are seen responding to an emergency incident, the local EMS is always ready to respond to every kind of emergency. The students were able to go through the ambulance, and they asked many questions about the medical equipment.

The Muhlenberg Job Corps works closely with local emergency responders for special informational sessions such as this and participation in the center's annual Safety & Health Fair.

Muhlenberg Job Corps Students learn about Hospice program

Don Duncan of the Muhlenberg County Hospice organization spoke with students enrolled in the health careers career technical training programs at Muhlenberg Job Corps on Jan. 28. Hospice provides support and care for those who are in the final phase of a life-limiting illness so they can live as fully and comfortably as possible.  Hospice also supports families of dying patients through the grieving process.

Don Duncan of Hospice with CNA students.

  
Duncan covered the following topics with the group:  admission criteria; levels of care; a dying person’s bill of rights; home care and nursing home care; different stages of death and dying; grief education; and bereavement support.  Duncan also shared information about a camp that Hospice sponsors every year for adults and children who have lost family members.

He also discussed employment opportunities and qualifications needed for individuals interested in working in Hospice care -- a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate with long-term or acute health care experience. 

Muhlenberg Job Corps wins big at HYS Leadership Meeting

Muhlenberg Job Corps Center took three first place awards at the Horizons Youth Services Leadership Meeting, Jan. 20-24 in Glassboro, N.J. Each year HYS presents a number of annual awards to the highest ranking centers it operates or serves as a sub-contractor for.

Muhlenberg Job Corps employees celebrate seven new awards.

The Muhlenberg Job Corps Center received first place in Safety & Environmental Health for having the highest Student Satisfaction Survey scores, Occupational Safety & Health scores and overall assessment ratings. Muhlenberg’s Finance & Administration department won first place for timeliness, accuracy and fiscal integrity of all financial operations.  Muhlenberg also won first place in Energy Conservation for having the largest reduction in water, gas and electric consumption of all centers operated by HYS.

HYS currently operates Muhlenberg, the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center in Prestonsburg, Ky., the Charleston (W.Va.) Job Corps Center, and the Sacramento (Calif.) Job Corps Center. Additionally, HYS serves as a sub-contractor for the Cleveland (Ohio) Job Corps Center and the Turner Job Corps Center in Albany, Ga.

In addition to its three first-place awards, Muhlenberg came in third place for being a High Performance Center in the Outcome Measurement System rankings which compare all 126 Job Corps centers in the nation. Muhlenberg’s welding and clinical medical assistant career technical training programs received the “Top 10 Best Career Technical Training” award and its Heavy Truck Driving program placed third in the “Highest Performance CTT10” category.

The Muhlenberg Job Corps Center currently ranks 62nd in the nation out of 126 Job Corps centers in OMS rankings.

Muhlenberg Job Corps honors CNA students with Pinning Ceremony

Muhlenberg Job Corps Center held a rite of passage for 13 Certified Nursing Assistant students with a pinning ceremony Jan. 27. The pinning ceremony recognized students’ completion of the CNA program as a stepping stone to a higher degree in nursing.

Awarding nursing students with a pin dates back to 1855 when Queen Victoria presented Florence Nightingale with a specially made broach to commend her for her work in the Crimean War. During the ceremony, students lit candles to signify the only light Nightingale had as she made the rounds tending wounded soldiers. Students also recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge.

All 13 CNA students who were part of the pinning ceremony completed 16 clinical hours at the Maple Manor Nursing Home, currently operated by Kindred Health Care.

Perkins student named to Student Congress to partner with Forward in the Fifth organization

Carl D. Perkins Job Corps & Big Sandy Community & Technical College (BSCTC) student Dimitri Bien-Aime’ has been selected to represent BSCTC and Forward in the Fifth as a member of the inaugural Student Congress. Dimitri is one of 21 college students who will be partnering with “Forward in the Fifth” to help improve education for himself, fellow students and future students.

“Forward in the Fifth” is a non-profit organization created in 1986 by U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY, 5th District). The organization works with businesses, schools and community leaders to improve education levels in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Forward in the Fifth unites people and communities to create positive change.
Forward in the Fifth’s mission centers around three key actions -- Engage, Advocate, Support --  engage students, families, educators and the community to advance the value of education; advocate for improved quality of life based on higher educational attainment by promoting lifelong learning and providing a voice in support of the educational progress; and support efforts of schools and communities to advance educational progress through quality programs such as teacher training, student mentoring, leadership events and local action groups.
Dimitri has completed the Office Administration career technical training program at Carl D. Perkins and will have his double associate’s in art and science degree from BSCTS in May. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

Muhlenberg Job Corps recognizes employee's cost-savings efforts

Dwight Payton, property specialist at Muhlenberg Job Corps, was recently named Employee of the Month in recognition of his efforts to obtain needed cardio equipment for the Recreation Department at little cost to the center.

Payton, who has worked at the center since 1991, searched the government’s excess property website for the needed equipment, and was able to obtain more than $42,000 worth of equipment, including treadmills, stair steppers, elliptical machines, stationary bikes and weight benches, at no cost to the center except for transportation to the center.

During December 2013, Dwight was also instrumental in the collection of over 7,000 pounds of recyclable materials on center. He contacted local vendors for the proper removal of larger containers and ensured funds from the materials were added to the Student Government Association Green Fund for future green projects on center.

HR Manager Ashley Knight presents the Employee of the Month Award to Dwight Payton, property specialist.