As the nation celebrates its service men and women during this week of Veterans Day, the American Red Cross of Michigan announced an exciting new program for military and their families.

The Red Cross is offering certified nurse assistant training scholarships on a first come, first served basis to all military service members, veterans and military family members.

This new program is certainly a welcome one.

Anything we can do to help our veterans transition to normal citizen life is a great idea.

Our veterans deserve all the assistance we can give and this effort by the Red Cross adds to a growing list of services and programs our military men and women can already take advantage of.

The program itself is approved by the State of Michigan and is designed to prepare students to have success in finding a job after completion.

Over the course of four weeks, those who enroll will be taught 55 skills ranging from taking blood pressure to patient care to grooming and communications skills.

The Red Cross says that the program focuses on the six principals of care that will enable participants to provide quality care for residents in nursing homes and personalized care in private home, assisted living and rehabilitation health care settings.

When the course is finished, participants will receive Red Cross certificates and will be eligible to take the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Exam. The exam is necessary in order to secure state certification and subsequent employment in a wide range of health care settings.

To make it convenient for military families, both morning and evening sessions are offered with new classes beginning on a monthly basis.

These scholarships, made possible through the generosity of Ford Motor Company’s “Blue Oval Scholars Program,” may include course tuition, certification exam fee and employment assistance.

We encourage all military men and women and their families to take advantage of this new opportunity.

Those wanting to do so are urged to call (313) 576-4120.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.