Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center (ADRC) Collaborates with Suffolk Community College to Offer ESL Classes

John Mitty Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Bay Shore, NY – ADRC and Suffolk Community College have teamed up to begin to address a growing need in the care of individuals with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. “This is a vision turned into reality,” states Mary Ann Malack-Ragona, Executive Director/CEO for ADRC. “As we work with our clients and students, we have identified language barriers that have a negative impact on quality care, a core focus for our local health and human services agency,” further states Ms. Malack-Ragona.

ADRC has been training healthcare professionals since 2003, and in 2006 launched a 14-week college accredited Alzheimer’s Disease training curriculum for professional caregivers.  ADRC has trained more than 600 healthcare professionals and through this process identified a need to include English as a second language in its course offerings. ADRC contacted Suffolk County Community College for collaboration and the College was able to secure a NYS Workplace Development Grant to assist ADRC in launching this new training program.

The training, which is being taught in ADRC’s newly opened classrooms, is a five week course facilitated by Jeffrie Chong-Rodriquez, an adjunct instructor at Suffolk County Community College. The course covers speaking in English, listening in English and U.S. Culture. Students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion upon passing the course criteria.

The Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center, which is headquartered in Bay Shore and has a satellite office in Southampton is the only local Alzheimer’s Disease advocacy and educational facility whose mission is to provide hands-on support and services to families on Long Island and the New York metropolitan area.  ADRC works with family members, health care professionals and researchers to ensure quality health care and support to those impacted by dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease through care and consultation, information and referral, training, support groups, and caregiver safety products.

Sustained workforce development is the key to maintaining and improving the economic engines of Suffolk County. Suffolk County Community College has been a catalyst and leading partner in this effort. The College provides programs and services that contribute to the economic vitality of Long Island through customized training programs, workforce development, and business enrichment programs.

For more information about the ESL program or the programs and services offered at ADRC, please contact Mary Ann Malack-Ragona, ED/CEO at (631) 820-8068.

For information about the Workforce programs offered at Suffolk County Community College, please contact Nina Leonhardt at (631) 451-4114.

jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com

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