MELBOURNE, FL – Brevard Schools Foundation (BSF) announced it has received a grant for $24,000 as part of a two-year $500,000 grant from the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (Consortium) aimed at increasing student interest in healthcare careers and successful participation in high school healthcare career academies, particularly among students from underrepresented communities.
Through the ‘Explore & Excel in Healthcare Career Pathways’ program grant, Brevard Schools Foundation, and Brevard Public Schools’ Career & Technical Education program at Cocoa High School will expand its Health and Wellness Academy exposing more students to careers in healthcare in our community. The exercise science program has served a diverse student population with over 70% minority students, over 10% ESE students and nearly 80% of students on free and reduced lunch. The grant allows the program to continue to focus on students on free and reduced lunch while introducing them to enhanced technology.
“While careers in healthcare remain in high demand, not enough students are in the pipeline. Funds from DeLuca and the Consortium will help entice more students to look at healthcare pathways and be prepared to go to work right here in our own community,” shared Janice Kershaw, President/CEO of Brevard Schools Foundation.
Healthcare is one of Brevard County’s priority sectors providing high-wage, high-skill opportunities for graduates. Through the use of augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR), the program seeks to engage more youth from underserved communities. As a junior senior high school, Cocoa High School is positioned to generate excitement among middle school students, as AR and VR machines used in health sciences labs. With the grant providing scrubs to enrolled students, the presence of the scrub-garbed upperclass students will also generate enthusiasm for the program.
“The Consortium is pleased to bring much-needed healthcare career pathway exploration and acceleration opportunities to students across the state of Florida,” said Mary Chance, President/CEO of the Consortium. “As healthcare careers continue to be in-demand, the need to inspire and engage students in this area is critical.”
Brevard Schools Foundation will participate in a learning community hosted by the Consortium to share leading practices and resources with 13 additional Florida education foundations participating in the program. Successful programs will have the opportunity to receive a second year of funding to continue their initiative in the 2023-24 school year.
