Health And Human Service Workers Could Be Eligible For Free Tuition Toward A Dementia Care Certificate

(WITC) -- As our population gets older, there is a clear need in the health and human service fields to improve the quality of care and support provided to persons living with dementia. To address this concern, two local organizations are partnering to provide free tuition and books toward the Dementia Care pathway certificate at WITC.

WITC’s Gerontology – Aging Services Professional program, in partnership with Brad Gingras, the executive director of Northwest Wisconsin Area Health Education Center (NWAHEC), will provide $20,000 to be applied toward tuition and books to 12 practicing professionals who work in WITC’s 11-county region.

The Dementia Care Pathway Certificate is unique in the state of Wisconsin. It is the only Dementia Care training that awards successful completers with education-based credentials. Students of the certificate will complete one class at a time over the course of a year for a total of 12 credits earned. Classes can be completed virtually through web conferencing, which is at a scheduled class time, or online at a time that works for you.

The 2021 course schedule for the certificate:

• January 19–March 12, Legal and Financial Issues of Aging
• March 23–May 14, Death and Dying
• August 24–October 15, Alzheimer’s and Dementia
• October 18–December 17, Communication of Aging

Those interested in applying for the grant should visit witc.edu/freeDC to fill out a brief application. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on December 7. WITC and NWAHEC will review applications and award 12 qualified individuals. Classes for the certificate will begin on January 19.

For additional questions, contact Jennifer Ellis, WITC Gerontology – Aging Services Professional program director, at 715.394.6677 ext. 6346 or email jennifer.ellis@witc.edu

WITC is grateful to all its community partnerships. Your support of the WITC Foundation is essential to student success. For information on how to contribute, visit witc.edu/donate.

A nationally top-ranked college and a designated 2020-21 Military Friendly® School, WITC serves the educational and career needs of more than 18,000 residents of Northwestern Wisconsin each year. With multiple campuses, WITC offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, short-term certificates, customized business training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. WITC is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org).

For more information, call 800.243.WITC or visit witc.edu. WITC is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer and Educator.