Annual Report 2018-19

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS  In 2018, NewRiver Valley SWIFTStart entered an agreement with New River Health District to host Certified Clinical Medical Assistant training graduates for externships. India Collins completed the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) training through New River Community College Workforce Development and was the first SWIFTStart client to complete her externship with the New River Health District. SWIFTStart was able to pay wages to India during her externship and pay for her childcare. India performed exceptionally during her externship and was offered a job through Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Staffing, which contracts with the Health District to operate the Mobile Health Clinic. India stated, “Swift Start is an amazing program, and it has changedmy life and career. The staff are so supportive and encouraging and there when you need them.”  SWIFTStart found that partnering with Head Start has greatly benefited clients. Tiffany Holmes exemplifies the continuum of care that has assisted individuals in reaching maximum self-sufficiency. Tiffany was a Head Start parent, where center staff and another Head Start parent referred her to the SWIFTStart program. The collaboration between SWIFTStart and Head Start enabled Tiffany to make a positive, permanent change in her life.  Due to Tiffany’s determination to provide for her three children, she was able to overcome many obstacles including growing up with a Mom and an older sibling with serious substance abuse issues, living in an abusive relationship which ended in 2017, and becoming a single Mom. Tiffany stated, “After living through an abusive relationship and being left on my own in 2017 to take care of my children, unlike my Mother, I had to be there for my children, and I would not follow in her footsteps.” Tiffany went on to say, “Because of SWIFTStart, my dream of becoming a Certified Medical Assistant came through.” After completing her training and a CCMA Externship at New River Valley Heart Clinic, the Clinic then hired her. Tiffany was determined to “break the cycle of her childhood and become her children’s ROCK.” She credits her SWIFTStart mentor who provided the desperately-needed resources and the encouragement to guide her in the right direction.

Ms. India Collins

Ms. Tiffany Holmes

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