Official celebrate the opening of the Chicago Welcome Back Center at the Arturo Velasquez Institute. --Supplied photo
CCC center aims to get immigrant health workers accredited
From staff reports
Officials from Daley College, in partnership with the Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium, recently opened the Chicago Welcome Back Center at the Arturo Velasquez Institute, 2800 S. Western.
The Center will support immigrants with professional degrees obtained abroad so that they may re-enter their profession or establish a related career in Illinois.
Official celebrate the opening of the Chicago Welcome Back Center at the Arturo Velasquez Institute. –Supplied photo
“With equity as a pillar of City Colleges’ strategic plan, this program strives to support economic development in Illinois and Chicago, and to help Illinois’ employers gain diversity and equity in their organizations.” officials said in a statement.
CWBC will serve as a regional center of information, resources and support. The program is a partnership with the Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium, supporting immigrants and refugees who would like to achieve Illinois licensure in nursing to work in the healthcare sector.
The CWBC program is based on the national Welcome Back Initiative’s model, and will assist participants in exploring and pursuing alternative careers in healthcare while they are on the path towards licensure. The Center will offer case management and support services, as well as referrals to educational, community, and professional programs and organizations. With equity as one of its guiding principles, the program will also work to support economic development in Illinois and Chicago, as well as help Illinois’ employers gain diversity and equity in their organizations.
Those eligible must be licensed as a nurse outside the U.S., as well as live in Illinois and be a legal U.S. resident.
In Illinois, about 52,000 immigrants hold at least a four-year college degree in medical and health sciences and services. Approximately 12,000, or 22%, of this number are working in low-skilled jobs, or out of work as a result of credential-recognition difficulties, limited English proficiency, and other barriers. Nursing is the most common degree held by those whose skills are underutilized.
For more information visit ccc.edu/welcomeback.
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