Q: What is the Southern Oregon Career Center?

Answer: The Southern Oregon Career Center (SOCC) is a regional hub for career and technical education, equipping students from all backgrounds with the skills and training necessary to succeed in healthcare careers initially, and expand to others in subsequent years. Through partnerships with industry, businesses, and higher education institutions, SOCC offers a variety of programs that provide students with hands-on experience and valuable certifications. These programs enable students to enter the workforce directly after high school in entry-level positions and build a foundation for career advancement. By nurturing a skilled workforce, SOCC is helping to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in the region.

Q: What programs will be offered in year one?

Answer:

• MA (Medical Assistant): MAs perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks in medical offices. They may assist with medical examinations, administer medications, and handle insurance claims.

  • Note: Students who complete the MA program will also qualify to be a phlebotomist or a Public Service Representative (PSR) directly after high school.

• EMT (Emergency Medical Technician): EMTs provide emergency medical care to patients in pre-hospital settings, such as at accident scenes or during transportation to the hospital. They are trained to stabilize patients and transport them safely to a medical facility.

• QMHA-R (Qualified Mental Health Associate (Registered): A Qualified Mental Health Associate can choose to enter a variety of careers in mental and behavioral health. They may meet with patients or students, help monitor clients’ safety and well-being, and coordinate care plans with patients and physicians.

Q: What other programs of study are being considered?

Answer: Dental Assisting: The Future Ready Oregon Healthcare Industry Consortium, in collaboration with Rogue Community College and local healthcare leaders, have identified a critical need for expanded dental assisting programs to address workforce shortages.

Trades: We are exploring an aviation mechanic program , as well as other trades in construction and/or manufacturing.We also see potential in expanding into the teaching field, providing students with the skills and knowledge to become educators. While these programs are under consideration, we remain open to exploring other data showing areas of need that align with student interests and aptitude.

Q: Are there any specific healthcare partnerships that have been identified or established for the SOCC?

Answer: Yes. Currently, we have secured partnerships with Providence, Asante Health Network, La Clinica, Mercy Flights, Valley Immediate Care, Rogue Community Health, Rogue Community College, Rogue Community College, Oregon Health Leadership Council (OHLC) and the Oregon Health and Education Collaborative.

Q: What is the planned location for the Southern Oregon Career Center?

Answer: The Southern Oregon Career Center (SOCC) will be located at 650 Royal Avenue in Medford. This location was chosen after evaluating the following considerations:

• Local availability and inventory of existing buildings

• Property zoning

• Price consideration (including renovation costs)

• Classroom space

• Parking

• Proximity to healthcare facilities (for internships and job shadowing)

Additionally, SOESD is exploring the possibility of establishing a satellite operation in Klamath County in subsequent years, after the initial program has been established.

Q: What is the projected enrollment for the Southern Oregon Career Center in its first year of operation?

Answer: In Year 1, we will offer one section of each program. The capacity for each program is 25 seats. We anticipate 35 students in Year 1, and our plan is to expand and double our operation in year 2.

Q: When will school begin and end?

Answer: School will begin after Labor Day and end in mid-June, aligning with similar districts. This approach ensures our students starting in September aren’t disadvantaged by Districts with earlier start dates, preventing them from missing out on important instruction.

Q: How many slots will be available for each district and how is that number determined?

Answer: The allocation of slots for each school district will be determined based on their Average Daily Membership (ADMr) relative to the total ADM of all participating districts in Jackson and Josephine counties. This approach ensures that each district receives a proportional number of slots based on their student population.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Calculate Total ADM: The ADM of all participating school districts in Jackson and Josephine counties will be summed to determine the total ADM for the region.

2. Determine District Percentages: The ADM of each individual district will be divided by the total ADM to calculate its percentage of the regional student population.

3. Allocate Slots: The total number of available slots (150) will be multiplied by each district’s percentage to determine the number of slots allocated to that district.

Example:

If the total ADM for all participating districts is 47,864 and District A has an ADM of 13,404, then District A’s percentage would be:

• 13,404 / 47,864 = 0.280043456

• To express this as a percentage, multiply by 100:

• 0.280043456 * 100 = 28.00%

• Therefore, District A would be allocated approximately 28% of the total available slots.

Q: Will students have core subjects taught at the center?

Answer: While classes will be focused on industry certification topics, we are exploring what high school elective credit can be awarded. We will update this as our planning continues.

Q: Are there any age restrictions for students attending the center?

Answer: The two-year program is open to juniors and seniors only. Note: At the program’s inception, seniors can use the first year of the program to gain a head start on their career goals and prepare for further studies at RCC. Graduates of the phlebotomy and PSR courses will be eligible for in-demand jobs. Students starting the program as seniors will only be able to complete one year of the program and will not be eligible to receive an EMT, QMHA-R or CCMA certification. We are hoping to offer Phlebotomy and PSR Certification at the end of Year 1 for those in the MA Program. This, however, is still under development. Please check with your school counselor for those in participating districts.

Q: How Are Students Selected to attend?

Answer: Each school district will determine the juniors and seniors wishing to participate. Program requirements will be outlined to counselors later this fall.

Q: How many days will students attend and what will be the hours?

Answer: Students will attend five days a week for a comprehensive learning experience. Our programs offer a comprehensive curriculum that includes valuable information and practical skills, including hands-on training, and real-world opportunities like student shadowing and internships. To fully benefit from this immersive experience, it’s imperative that students attend all five days. We will offer morning sessions only. This structured schedule will maximize student engagement and learning outcomes.

AM Cohort:

7:15 AM–7:45 AM - Transportation and arrival

7:55 AM–8:00 AM - Student Passing

8:00 AM–10:45 AM - Learning Session 1

10:45 AM–11:00 AM - Student Passing

11:00 AM–11:10 AM - Transportation/

Departure

Students will be identified as Year 1 and Year 2 students. In our inaugural year, we will offer one section in the morning. In Year 2, we will have a Year 1 cohort (juniors) in the morning and a Year 2 cohort (seniors) in the afternoon. This structure will allow for a smooth progression through the program and ensure that students receive the appropriate level of instruction and support. Note: Please note that the following schedule is a draft and may be subject to change. It is intended to provide school personnel, registrars, counselors, transportation administrators, and others with a general idea of the operating hours.

Q: How will students get to the center?

Answer: School districts will provide transportation to students on district buses. Students wishing to drive may do so, however they must be cleared by SOCC staff first.

Q: Can students drive themselves to the center?

Answer: Students will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle to the Southern Oregon Career Center unless they obtain written permission from their sending high school Principal, Counselor, or designee. Students who obtain authorization to drive must know and obey the rules or driving privileges may be revoked by the SOCC.

IMPORTANT: The number of available parking spaces at the Southern Oregon Career Center will depend on the location that is ultimately selected. Once we have a confirmed location, we will be able to provide more information about parking policies, driving privileges, and availability.

Q: Are students with Special Needs able to attend?

Answer: Yes, students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are eligible to attend the Southern Oregon Career Center. However, the decision for a student to participate will be made in consultation with the student’s IEP team and school counselor. The SOCC aims to maintain a student population that reflects the diversity of the surrounding school districts, including students with IEPs. Counselors will be provided with more information regarding the specific qualifications of each program to help inform the decision making process.

Q: Will students remain part of their high school?

Answer: Yes. SOCC aims to supplement student’s high school learning with training that will help them advance in their career after graduation. Students will retain their home school identity.

Q: Will students have access to meals or snacks at the Southern Oregon Career Center?

Answer: During the inaugural year, students will not be provided with meals or snacks at the Southern Oregon Career Center. However, teachers will allow students to bring their own food and eat during the first 15 minutes of class. This is a similar approach to Cascadia Tech in Washington State, which has been operating successfully for many years without providing on-site meals.

Q: What are the consequences for missing classes in the Southern Oregon Career Center’s programs?

Q: Are there plans to offer dual credit opportunities for students enrolled in the Southern Oregon Career Center’s programs?

Answer: While our program is still under development, we are actively exploring opportunities for dual credit partnerships with local higher education institutions. This would allow students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, providing them with a valuable head start on their academic and career goals. SOCC is coordinating with RCC to offer dual crediting for these programs. Therefore, students who successfully complete courses at SOCC will not have to take them again at RCC even if they do not finish the high school program.

Q: How can students earn equivalency credits through the Southern Oregon Career Center’s programs?

Answer: Students who successfully complete the Southern Oregon Career Center’s programs may be eligible to earn equivalency credits that can contribute towards their high school graduation requirements. These credits can be earned in various content areas, including Science, English, Health, Art, Math, History, and PE.

To earn equivalency credits, students must successfully complete both the program and the designated equivalency portions of the curriculum and earn full credit for two consecutive semesters. The specific equivalency credits offered for each program will be developed with school counselors during the 2024-25 school year.

Q: How will the cost of sending students to the Southern Oregon Career Center be determined?

Answer: A cost model has been developed to estimate the expenses associated with student participation in the SOCC. However,

this model is subject to change based on various factors, including the number of participating districts, potential legislative support, and other variables.

While we cannot provide a definitive cost at this time, we can offer a preliminary estimate: If all districts in Jackson and Josephine counties participate, along with charter schools, the cost per student is expected to be approximately $5,800 However, this figure may be reduced with significant donations or legislative support. Our initial focus will be on capital expenditures, such as building and remodeling, as well as acquiring the necessary supplies and equipment to operate the programs effectively.