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Public Employee Press: PEP Talk

Move up with help from the H+H Food and Nutrition Worker Program

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

NYC Health+Hospitals wants to jumpstart employees’ careers through a unique DC 37 Education Fund program that helps unionized hospital workers acquire skills and college degrees that can lead to promotions, better jobs, and bigger salaries.

“DC 37 worked with H+H management to negotiate the Food and Nutrition Worker Education Fund program,” Local 420 President Carmen Charles said. “We put our heads together to find the best way to help our members who are dietary aides and other union titles employed at NYC Health+Hospitals and are supervised by Sodexo management.”

Up to $2,000 in annual tuition assistance and reimbursement is available for education, professional development, and dietary certifications. Any H+H Food and Nutrition Department employee who is a DC 37 member in the following titles is eligible: Service Aide, Dietary Aide, Senior Cook/Cook, Institutional Aide, Client Navigator, Supervisor of Stock Workers, Motor Vehicle Operator, Assistant HCPP/A, Senior HCPPA, Principal Administrative Assistant, Assistant Coordinating Manager, Secretary, Clerical Associate, Food Service Supervisor, Clinical Dietetic Technician, and Dietitians Levels I to IV.

“This offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance for H+H employees to move up into more rewarding careers,” said Program Administrator La’Shawn Allen. “H+H managers can adjust participants’ work hours to accommodate school schedules so the student can focus on completing the program. It’s rewarding to see graduates move on to nursing and other good-paying jobs.”

The Food and Nutrition Worker Education Fund program has helped hundreds of hospital workers earn high school equivalency and college degrees. Others have earned ServSafe training and Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) training to become Food Service Supervisors. Dozens more got jobs in healthcare and engineering fields.

“We are excited to expand this program. We invite union members to participate and see this opportunity for what it is — a chance to invest in their future and that of their families,” said Jahmila Edwards, the union’s assistant associate director and Ed Fund administrator.

For more information contact La’Shawn Allen at EDfund@nychhc.org, or call 212.442.0684. Online applications are at form.jotform.com/72614814573156

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