[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 73 (Monday, May 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING ENCUENTRO HOME HEALTH AIDE PROGRAM

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                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2018

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor Encuentro's Home Health Aide Program and the 24 graduates of 
the spring 2018 class.
  Encuentro is a New Mexico organization that provides high quality 
adult education to immigrants through a variety of programs including 
the Workforce and Small Business Development Initiative. This program 
provides immigrants with supportive services in addition to education 
and training in order to support meaningful career development. In 
January of 2016, they introduced the Home Health Aide program as part 
of this initiative in order to train and support immigrants to be 
employed in the fast-growing home health care industry.
  I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the 24 members of the 
spring 2018 class on their completion of the Home Health Aide Program, 
I wish them well as they embark on this new and exciting journey. They 
have taken it upon themselves to study and earn a certificate in a 
skill that makes our communities better and helps people live healthier 
and more productive lives. It is their story that keeps true the idea 
that our country is a place of opportunity.
  Over the last 15 weeks these individuals have sacrificed their time 
to complete the course and the clinical work needed to not just meet, 
but to exceed the state's training requirements for Personal Care 
Attendees and Home Health Aides. With their new certification, they are 
now able to provide care to older adults and individuals with 
disabilities who need extra support to live independently. I know 
firsthand how tough of a job this is but also how fulfilling it is.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my gratitude to the Encuentro Home 
Health Aide Program and my congratulations to the spring 2018 class. I 
wish them the best of luck in all their future endeavors.

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