Program staff assist participants in selecting colleges or universities to apply to, complete college application materials and complete financial aid applications, in an effort to facilitate their entry into health professions programs. This component is mandatory for all high school seniors in the HCOP program. This project seeks to recruit, educate, and retain sixty disadvantaged students each year in the Allied Health program which is being expanded to include a Medical Assistant associate degree, and the Medical Imaging options - Nuclear Medicine, Medical Radiography and Cardiovascular Sound. To achieve this goal the HCOP program will focus on recruitment, preliminary education and retention. Another twenty students will be recruited and enrolled in a six week summer program.
Preliminary education is provided via two alternative programs.
A six week summer program, Project Start, is aimed at building academic competencies, developing realistic expectations about college requirements, promoting self esteem and confidence, and exploring career and lifelong educational and personal goals. Academic and financial counseling, as well as personal counseling, are available during the summer program and academic year by appointment and as needed. Case Management files are set up and maintained on every HCOP student and includes academic records, as well as educational, personal, and career plans and objectives. Tutoring by health professions students with advanced standing is provided during the summer session on a limited weekly basis. Students are encouraged to utilize this service.