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Michigan Career and Technical Institute and Michigan Works! Deliver Innovative Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program

Benton Harbor, Mich. July 8, 2014 – The Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) will graduate 12 students in its certified nursing assistant program tomorrow Wednesday, July 9, in Benton Harbor.

For the first time the training was offered off-campus in Benton Harbor in partnership with Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. It is part of an innovative new program to help prepare individuals with disadvantages for careers in the health field. Most of the Benton Harbor area customers were Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) PATH participants and most faced educational challenges. PATH stands for partnership, accountability, training and hope and offers participants a robust, results-oriented work participation program.

“We applaud these students for their hard work, determination and success,” said DHS Director Maura Corrigan. “These graduates were supported in their goal to become employed in a career that would give them a better life by this effective partnership and proven teaching techniques.”

The ceremony begins at 2:45 p.m. at Benton Harbor Michigan Works!, 499 W. Main St., Benton Harbor.

Operated by Michigan Rehabilitation Services, within MDHHS, MCTI provides vocational training in 13 career areas for adults with disabilities. Michigan Works! is a service of the workforce development division of the nonprofit southwest Michigan organization Kinexus.

Among the graduates are: Kiarre Curtis, who was raised by her grandmother until her grandmother’s death when Curtis was age 12, and then lived in foster homes, and Robin Leonard, a single mother who also lived in foster homes. Curtis and Leonard will speak at the ceremony. Corrigan will deliver the keynote address.

The 12 graduates are: Darlene Beluv Bridgeman, Destiny L.J. Brown, Iesha Coleman, Kiarre Sharone Curtis, Constance M. Gentry, Linitria T. Johnson, Rashia L. Kelly, Robin Leonard, Jessica A. McClinton, Brandy Reynolds, Labrisha L. Turner and Cynteria L. Washington.

Based on the success of this program, similar certified nursing assistant training is going to be expanded to other parts of Michigan.