North Austin News

The City of Austin Economic Development Department and community partners announce over $1.8 million in funding for workforce development initiatives targeting early childcare educators and key healthcare careers. This funding opportunity is part of the department’s mission of creating an equitable and sustainable economy through targeted workforce development programs.

“Building a strong early childcare and healthcare workforce is essential to the health of our economy,” explains Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of the Economic Development Department. “Supporting the childcare workforce promotes access to affordable, high-quality childcare in Austin and encourages people to return to the labor force. Additionally, providing training opportunities for healthcare workers helps our workforce level up and ensures that our growing community continues to receive the care they need.” 

The Economic Development Department partnered with Austin Public Health to distribute $1 million to early childcare educators through the Workforce Solutions Capital Area Jeanette Watson Wage Supplement Project. Additionally, local non-profit, Together4Children, was awarded $351,271 to provide leadership training and coaching to childcare center directors and assistant directors, while Capital IDEA received $500,000 to expand its nursing and dental hygienist programs.  

The Jeanette Watson Wage Supplement Project will provide stipends to 200 early childhood educators. 250 educators have already received stipends from Workforce Solutions Capital Area using American Rescue Plan Act dollars allocated by Austin Public Health in 2022.  

While the Jeanette Watson project prioritizes childcare educators, the Together4Children Texas Leadership Academy will target 60 childcare directors and assistant directors. The academy will provide weekly sessions, coaching, and training activities to enhance management skills and offer facility improvement stipends to participants. Local non-profit, Capital IDEA, received $500,000 to add five and eight students to Concordia University’s nursing program and Austin Community College’s dental hygienist program, respectively. Capital IDEA will cover the cost of tuition, supplies, and provide financial assistance for childcare and transportation fees.  

The Economic Development Department uses grants to help the community get certified for careers in healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades. For more information about the City’s support through workforce development, visit www.austintexas.gov/department/workforce-development.   

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Financiamiento enfocado en maestros de educación infantil y carreras del cuidado de la salud 

El Departamento de Desarrollo Económico de la Ciudad de Austin y socios de la comunidad anuncian más de $1.8 millones en financiación para iniciativas de desarrollo laboral enfocadas en maestros de educación infantil y carreras clave en el cuidado de la salud. Esta oportunidad de financiación forma parte de la misión del departamento de crear una economía equitativa y sostenible a través de programas específicos de desarrollo de la fuerza laboral. 

"Crear una fuerza laboral sólida para la educación infantil y el cuidado de la salud es esencial para la salud de nuestra economía", explica Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Directora del Departamento de Desarrollo Económico. "Apoyar a la fuerza laboral de la educación infantil promueve el acceso a un sistema de educación infantil accesible y de alta calidad en Austin y anima a la gente a reincorporarse a la fuerza laboral. Además, ofreciendo oportunidades de entrenamiento para los trabajadores del cuidado de la salud ayuda a nuestra fuerza laboral a elevar y asegura que nuestra comunidad que está creciendo continúe recibiendo el cuidado que necesita."

El Departamento de Desarrollo Económico se asoció con el Departamento de Salud Pública de Austin para distribuir $1 millón entre los maestros de educación infantil a través del Proyecto de Suplemento Salarial Jeanette Watson de Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Además, la organización local sin fines de lucro Together4Children recibió $351,271 para proporcionar entrenamiento y capacitación en liderazgo a directores y subdirectores de centros de educación infantil, mientras que Capital IDEA recibió $500,000 para ampliar sus programas de enfermería e higienista dental. 

El Proyecto de Suplemento Salarial Jeanette Watson proporcionará estipendios a 200 maestros de educación infantil. 250 educadores ya han recibido estipendios de Workforce Solutions Capital Area utilizando dólares del Plan de Rescate Estadounidense asignados por el Departamento de Salud Pública de Austin en 2022. 

Mientras que el proyecto Jeanette Watson da prioridad a los maestros de educación infantil, la Academia de Liderazgo Together4Children Texas se centrará en 60 directores y subdirectores de guarderías. La academia ofrecerá sesiones semanales, entrenamiento y actividades de capacitación para mejorar las habilidades de gestión y ofrecer estipendios para la mejora de las instalaciones a los participantes. La organización local sin fines de lucro Capital IDEA recibió $500,000 para incorporar cinco y ocho estudiantes al programa de enfermería de la Universidad Concordia y al programa de higienista dental de Austin Community College, respectivamente. Capital IDEA financiará los gastos de matrícula y material, así como los gastos de educación infantil y transporte. 

El Departamento de Desarrollo Económico utiliza subvenciones para ayudar a la comunidad a obtener certificados para carreras en el cuidado de la salud, tecnología de la información, fabricación avanzada y oficios cualificados. Para más información sobre el apoyo de la ciudad al desarrollo de la fuerza laboral, visite www.austintexas.gov/department/workforce-development. 

 

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About the City of Austin Economic Development Department

The City of Austin Economic Development Department supports business growth, creative industries, and local communities. These programs build an equitable, sustainable economy to improve the lives of all Austin residents. To learn more about helpful resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/edd and subscribe to our newsletter. Connect with us @AustinEconDev on Facebook, @AustinEconDev on Twitter, and @AustinEconDev on YouTube.

 

Información sobre del Departamento de Desarrollo Económico de la Ciudad de Austin

El Departamento de Desarrollo Económico de la Ciudad de Austin fomenta el crecimiento empresarial, las industrias creativas y las comunidades locales. Estos programas construyen una economía equitativa y sostenible que enriquecen las vidas de los habitantes de Austin. Para obtener más información acerca de recursos útiles, visite www.austintexas.gov/edd y suscríbase a nuestro boletín. Conéctese con nosotros en @AustinEconDev en Facebook y @AustinEconDev en Twitter y @AustinEconDev en YouTube. 

 

About Austin Public Health

Austin Public Health is the health department for the City of Austin and Travis County. Austin Public Health works to prevent disease, promote health and protect the well-being of all by monitoring and preventing infectious diseases and environmental threats and educating about the benefits of preventative behaviors to avoid chronic diseases and improve health outcomes. 

 

About Capital IDEA

Capital IDEA is a non-profit with a mission to move low-income Central Texas adults into high-demand careers. They offer guidance, tuition, and textbooks to more than 800 students each year, sending them through community college programs before connecting them with local employers. Capital IDEA graduates move out of poverty, earn a living wage, and fill critical roles in three high-growth industries: healthcare, technology, and trades. To learn more visit www.capitalidea.org or follow @capitalidea.austin on Facebook and @Capital_IDEA on Twitter. 

 

About Together4Children 

Together4Children, a non-profit organization based in Austin, has provided early childhood professional development training based on recognized research shown to produce positive outcomes throughout the State for 25 years. The nationally recognized Leadership Development Training helps build and maintain a competent, capable, and stable workforce that provides high-quality services for children and families facing barriers. 

 

About Workforce Solutions Capital Area 

Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the non-profit organization that serves as the leadership and governing body for the Austin/Travis County area workforce system. They are responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in the Capital Area. Learn more at WFSCapitalArea.com and follow along on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. 

Original source can be found here.