WATCH works - Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit

WATCH works
Work Attributes Toward Careers in Health
For participants of CSIU WATCH Project
WINTER 2012
My Story: WATCH support helps me manage
financial, social & emotional issues
“I am a single mother with one son, and
previously struggled through an LPN
program. I am participating in WATCH to
offer my son a better quality of life, and to
set an example of what can be done when
the system tells you there’s little
chance in getting ahead.
“WATCH gives
struggle that one has to deal with when
you are from a different background. The
decision of going back to school after
having been an LPN for nine years was
well thought out, and was done while
knowing the hardships and sacrifices
that I was exposing myself to for
the second time. This was the most
difficult issue to face.
“WATCH is giving me the opportunity
not only a
to manage financial, social and
new hope that
“When the WATCH program was
emotional issues. Financial issues
things
will
get
mentioned to me by a dear friend,
are addressed with comprehensive
better,
but
I took it as a heaven-sent blessing
academic support that covers the
also the tools
due to the fact that I was already
expenses that grants and loans do not.
facing financial, social and emotional
Social support and encouragement
needed to
issues in my then-present state. I
comes from regular check-ins by
accomplish it.”
was struggling to keep my head up
WATCH program staff, prompting
because I knew that my son was,
me to keep my achievement level
and still is, watching how I conducted my life. Our
up. Having these two issues covered gives me
children learn by example and I’ve been extra careful
the peace of mind and confidence that would
in the decisions I’ve made because of that reason.
minimize any emotional issue. WATCH staffers are
consistently there both to cheer me on and suggest
continued on page 2
options in the process of getting my degree that I
might have overlooked.
in this issue
“Being part of a cultural minority group, I find that
Tips for managing stress.........................2
even though I am an American citizen by birth,
Your feedback is requested..................2
some folks don’t see the potential in me, and only
Congratulations, graduates!................3
notice the differences in appearance and accent.
Having a back-up child care plan......4
Meeting expectations of the majority can be a daily
Managing stress in a stress-filled world
Part II in a series featuring suggestions for reducing and controlling stress in our lives
In the last edition of WATCH works, we learned the
first step in reducing stress is understanding our
stressors – the thoughts, individuals, and situations
that cause our stress reactions.
We often become stressed out when we are trying
to do too much in too little time. To help manage
your responsibilities and reduce stress:
• Identify your priorities and eliminate the “extras;”
• Examine your schedule and make sure you are
spending time on the important things; and
• Give adequate time to complete tasks and plan
for the possibility of delays and interruptions.
Priorities are the people and activities in your life
that are most important at any point in time. These
priorities can change with our roles, responsibilities,
circumstances and environments.
As you work toward your nursing certification or
prepare to start a new career, your focus should
shift to completing your school work or meeting the
expectations of a new job. However, you continue to
have other responsibilities that you need to balance
in your life, along with some downtime.
With your family, make a list of the things that fill
your time and identify the most important items.
When you’ve made the decision to eliminate some
activities that are low on your priority list, take time
to talk with your family and friends to let them know
why you are making these life changes at this time.
In the next issue, we will consider how some
specific time management strategies can help
reduce or eliminate stress in our lives.
My Story: continued
Just a reminder
Your feedback helps
improve WATCH services
Watch your mail and email for messages
and surveys from the Pacific Institute for
Research and Evaluation (PIRE).
Please complete and return the surveys
as soon as possible.
The information you provide helps
improve WATCH services, plan for the
future and demonstrate that programs
like it are effective.
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“The WATCH program gives not only a new hope that
things will get better, but also the tools needed to
accomplish it. Because of staff attention to all those
enrolled in WATCH, we are assured that our needs
are met. The program has regular meetings between
staff and enrollees featuring guest speakers, who
offer help to us in reaching the goals already
established - which in my case is becoming an
RN. So to answer the question of what the WATCH
program is doing for me, I can say that it is giving me
and my son the choice of becoming better people so
we can help others to do the same.”
By Thilza Cordova-Martinez, Danville
Thomas Jefferson University, RN Program
Project WATCH staff are asking program participants
to tell how WATCH is helping you realize your
dreams. To get your story published, contact your
Career Coordinator.
Congratulations to recent graduates!
Pictured is Santiea Akus,
Williamsport, a graduate
of Pennsylvania College of
Technology’s Registered
Nurse program
Pictured are graduates of the Central
Pennsylvania Institute of Science and
Technology’s LPN program (from L to R):
Kyle Priebe, Bellefonte; Jennifer Boyer, McClure;
Stacey Gallagher, Jersey Shore; Kathryn CannieHand, Boalsburg; and Sandra Andrus, Lock Haven
Pictured are graduates of HACC’s CNA
program (from L to R): Brenda Shultz,
Williamsport; Ashley Stiffler, Hughesville;
Tiana Richardson, Williamsport; and
Tammy Fisher, Williamsport
Pictured are graduates of HACC’s
CNA program April Carmona (left)
and Al-Mumtahanah Williams, both
of Williamsport
Congratulations to the following WATCH Project participants
not pictured who recently graduated from nursing programs
at several regional educational institutions.
Harrisburg Area
Community College
(HACC)
Certified Nursing Assistant
Program
Monique Cooper, Williamsport
Shana Gehron, Unityville
Tiffany Jones, McClure
Christy Mallery, Beaver Springs
Lisa Martin, Lewistown
Samerah Mason, Williamsport
Kery Ritter, Mifflinburg
Matthew Schmeltz, Williamsport
Autumn Shaffer, Watsontown
Michele Wells, Milroy
Eryn Young, Sunbury
Pictured are graduates from HACC’s
CNA program (from L to R): Angel Jones,
Williamsport; Cara Lachat, Cogan Station;
Kim Spotts, Jersey Shore; Jennifer Taylor,
Renovo; Ashley Crisswell, Centre Hall; and
Erica Seyler, Lock Haven
Graduates of HACC’s CNA program (from L
to R): Danielle Carr, Berwick; Bailey Smith,
Danville; Sonya Medina, Mifflinburg; Valerie
Eisenhuth, Northumberland; and Joni
Tyson, New Columbia
Pennsylvania College
of Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing
Program
Katie Starr, Hughesville
sun area technical
institute
Certified Nursing Assistant
Program
Donna Dupert, Middleburg
Tina Leitzel, Selinsgrove
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Advice for parents: Have a child care back-up plan
If you have young children, you know the
challenges of finding and keeping reliable child
care options while you are going to school or work.
You may have a reliable child care
provider, but do you have a backup plan if your current provider
becomes ill or goes on vacation?
What if your child is sick and can’t
go to school or day care?
The most important thing to
remember is to make back-up child
care plans now, before there’s an
emergency. Know who you can count on so you can
minimize days missed at work or school.
Talk with family, friends and trusted neighbors who
may be available while you are at school or work.
If you don’t have someone you trust, ask other
WATCH program participants, classmates or coworkers about their child care providers or contact
local centers and ask if they allow “drop-ins.” Be
sure to check with each of them ahead of time and
consider having several options in your plan.
Make sure you and your emergency child care
providers have a clear understanding of your child’s
needs. If your child requires a special medicine
or treatment, be sure your back-up provider is
comfortable with how to administer it.
This document was supported by Grant #90FX0011 from the
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health
& Human Services (HHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility
of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views
of HHS. Work Attributes Toward Careers in Health (WATCH) is a
Health Profession Opportunity Grant and is
administered by the Central Susquehanna
Intermediate Unit (CSIU).
WATCH works 4
WATCH Project
PO Box 213
Lewisburg, PA 17837