FACES at Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program,
El Centro
History
The Imperial Valley FACES for the Future program began with a planning grant in 2008 from The California Endowment. Program stakeholders held focus groups and sector meetings, and met with local medical professionals, workforce development officials and local post secondary schools to determine if a FACES for the Future program made sense for the area. In those conversations, it became clear there was a need for a pipeline program that would directly address the Valley's shortage of medical professionals.
One year later, the program received a grant from The California Endowment to implement a FACES program, and 30 sophomore students were enrolled from the 7 local high schools. With the support of a grant from The California Wellness Foundation, a second cohort of 33 students was enrolled in 2011 from the 7 local high schools, and will begin the summer math and science academies this summer. Students begin their exposure to healthcare professions by completing 80 hours of paid work experience through their clinical rotations at El Centro Regional Medical Center, Pioneers Memorial Hospital and Clinics De Salud Del Pueblo. The following summer, students complete an English Academy as well as job shadowing with a doctor who works in an area of the student’s interest.
El Centro Team
Gerald Uyeda
Project Coordinator
Gerald Uyeda is the Project Coordinator for the Imperial Valley FACES for the Future grant. Gerry has a BA in Social Work, and has 20 years of project management in both the public and private sectors.
Anabel Garcia
Counselor
Anabel Garcia started with the FACES program in January 2011 and provides counseling to students, handles all contact with the local schools to obtain transcripts and attendance, and works with the high school counselors to determine if a need for psycho-social services is required for the students. Anabel has a Masters in Counseling.
Margarita Ibarra
Youth Development Specialist
Margarita Ibarra has a BA in Social work, and has been with the FACES program since its inception. She provides case management, arranges tours, presentations, fundraising, and arranges the clinical rotations.
Jessica Lorena
Clerk