CREATE Health
One strategy to develop an eventual cadre of health care professionals throughout the counties
served by CAHEC is to educate local children about health careers. The Colorado Rural Education
and Training Enterprise (CREATE) Health was developed to provide a more comprehensive and
coordinated approach to address the state health care shortage using a pipeline that stretches
from kindergarten to healthcare professional retention. CREATE Health will be piloted in select
communities in 2009-2010 and will encompass: health career fairs, summer camps, and in-class
presentations.
The Great Hospital Adventure (for elementary schools) During the fall of 2009, 4th grade students at Beaver Valley Elementary School in Brush were entertained with a multi-media program titled The Great Hospital Adventure. This program is structured around the story of Josh, a young boy who falls and breaks his leg. His sister Ashley narrates the story and describes how Josh comes into contact with a variety of health care professionals including paramedics, people who work in the hospital emergency room, radiological technologists, physical therapists and family medical practices. The story is told through a DVD and a puppet show featuring the Health Careers Puppet Bunch who are matched with live presentations from health care professionals. There is also a coloring book provided to the students. The materials portray multi-cultural and non-traditional gender roles in health care. CAHEC representatives visited the school to present the program. There are plans to present this program to 4th grade classes in Yuma Spring 2010. MASH Camp (for middle schools) CAHEC also supports a monthly MASH (Medical Academy of Science and Health) Camp for one class of 4th graders at Beaver Valley Elementary School. These students attend a class at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center where they hear presentations from health professionals about health careers. Plans include supporting this program in Yuma, Spring 2010. Health Career Fairs (for high schools) CAHEC will implement regional health career fairs in high schools throughout Northeastern Colorado in partnership with local communities. Each career fair will be a half-day long experience for high school students to attend workshops, exhibits, and meet health care folks from a variety of professions. Please check our website under the K-12 section, Career Fairs for more information. Science Fairs (for middle schools) CAHEC will support a science fair for 8th graders at Brush Middle School Spring 2010. There are plans to also support this program in Yuma Spring 2010. HOSA (for high schools) Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) is a national program with chapters in several states including Colorado. The program offers opportunities for students to learn more about health care careers, participate in competitions, and attend state and national conferences. For more information, visit their website www.hosa.org.
CREATE Health is generously funded by the El Pomar Foundation.
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