(NewsUSA) - Raising a family is overwhelming enough; add in milestones, routines, challenging behavior and keeping an eye on academic progress, and you’re in for a spin. However, your child’s teacher is often there to help navigate you along the way. Family-teacher conferences are not only a great measure of your child’s academic progress and needs, but it’s also a time to learn more about your child’s personality and tips to set them up for confidence and success beyond the classroom.

“No matter how old your child is, it’s important to communicate regularly with teachers and stay plugged into your school community,” says Ariel Bronson, Inclusion Services Advisor for KinderCare. “We hold conferences twice yearly because we value family as important educational collaborators. Research shows that when families and teachers stay connected, children are not only better prepared to enter kindergarten but their social skills and achievement improve, too. We are always thinking about how to set kids up for the most success, and we’re proud that the longer kids stay in our program, the better they do.”

Here are two focus topics, beyond academics, to help set you up for a well-rounded family-teacher conference:

1. Social-emotional. Your child craves relationships, and we know they’re important for you, too. According to a study, 58% of parents have seen a difference in their child’s social-emotional skills since enrolling their child in a child care setting. 
   • What are my child’s strengths outside of academic performance?
   • What is something kind you have seen my child do?
   • How does my child interact with their peers?
      
2. Executive functioning. Your child is capable of more than you may think. As adults, we often want to help, but it’s important to take a step back so your children can learn more about their abilities to stay focused on tasks and continue improving and developing healthy skills.
   • How well does my child follow simple instructions?
   • How does my child bounce back from an unpreferred situation?
   • How does my child react to conflict?

Don’t be afraid to ask your child’s teacher to elaborate on an answer or explain using an example for you. Be sure to also ask for resources and tips to use at home to help your child expand on these skills.

Remember that these conferences are merely a snapshot in time. Use the results as a positive guide to build upon. This meeting does not define your child; it informs you about them. It’s not an all-inclusive list of their abilities or what they’re going to do in the future. You’ve got this, and they do, too! For more resources, visit KinderCare.com.

(NewsUSA) - Coded to Kill by Marschall Runge, M.D.

Is medicine’s greatest breakthrough also the world’s most efficient killing machine?

After a decade of development, Drexel Hospital’s cutting-edge Electronic Health Records system is about to become the national standard and revolutionize health care. Housing the real-time medical records of every American, the EHR system will enable doctors to access records with a keystroke and issue life-or-death medical orders with a finger swipe.

No one wants the EHR to succeed more than Hugh Torrence, a former NSA honcho who sees the system as a tool for unimaginable and unaccountable power. The only thing standing in his way is a loose-knit group of Drexel employees with conflicting agendas and questionable loyalties.

While they search for answers, the suspicious patient deaths keep mounting as the target on their back grows larger. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3TC7Dyz.

The Dream Collector: Book I “Sabrine and Sigmund Freud”  by R.w. Meek

The Dream Collector thrusts readers into the dynamic ambiance of late 19th-century Paris where science and art entwine. Against the backdrop of the emerging Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements, the story centers on Julie Forette, a self-educated woman from Marseilles. Her journey leads her to the notorious Salpêtrière, a sprawling hospital and asylum governed by the esteemed neurologist Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot.

Amidst the chaos of over five thousand disabled, demented, and abandoned women, Julie forges a friendship with the young intern Sigmund Freud. Together, they explore the conscious-altering power of cocaine, hypnotism, and dream interpretation, embarking on an urgent quest to find a cure for the star hysteric, Sabrine Weiss, before Dr. Charcot resorts to radical measures.

As the narrative unfolds, Julie's entanglements extend beyond the asylum, intertwining with major artists like Cezanne, Gauguin, and Monet, making Belle Époque Paris come alive in an unforgettable way. Purchase at https://geni.us/bS4c.

Langston Mangston's Cool-Le-Made Adventure by Chandler G. Hayes

Join Langston-Mangston, his parents, and his imaginary best friend, the pink elephant Zonky, as they embark on fun family discussions about personal finance. Covering basic concepts that cultivate early awareness about how money affects our daily lives, Langston Mangston's Cool-Le-Made Adventure is a lively guide to success for young readers ages six to 12.

Encouraging parents to embrace their child's interest in family finances with mindfulness and care, children are empowered to develop and communicate new ideas, set goals, ask for help, overcome obstacles, and build confidence. The author, with two school-age children, motivates other children to be courageous when considering and planning new tasks and projects – a perfect book for entertainment, engagement and learning. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3TxhGVF.

At the Edge of the Ice by Carolyn Armstrong

The perfect book for middle-graders to celebrate Earth Day later this month, At The Edge Of The Ice is a heartfelt eco-adventure about the complexities of how habitats are affected by climate change and how small steps can make a big difference.

Sydney Cabella talks to animals, but they never talk back -- until one day, they do.

When an intuitive eleven-year-old Sydney, her brainiac twin sister Sierra, and her photojournalist parents explore the Arctic ecosystem near the North Pole, Sydney accidentally hits her head. When she wakes up, the impossible happens: she and the animals can talk to each other.

The first animal who speaks up, a ringed seal named Ringo , tells Sydney that loss of habitat and global warming have pushed this ecosystem to the brink of collapse. With just 72 hours, the twins must put their squabbles aside to decipher Ringo’s clues and help. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3VvHkvq.

(NewsUSA) - Advocates of all ages across the country join forces on April 1, Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action, to stand up and speak out against the tobacco industry.

Demonstrations, rallies and educational events are scheduled to expose how the tobacco industry targets kids with flavored, nicotine-filled products. Youth and adults are calling on federal, state and local officials to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products.

“When I finally realized that it wasn’t just cancer that killed my grandma, tobacco did, I started my tobacco prevention journey because I never wanted to see another person lose a loved one to tobacco,” says Neveah, a National Youth Ambassador with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which sponsors Take Down Tobacco.

The tobacco industry has a long history of using flavored products including e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to appeal to children and other vulnerable groups. These flavors mask the harshness of tobacco products, making it easier for kids to start and ultimately become addicted.

“I’m shocked by the number of teens I see vaping who are vaping daily or even continuously. All of them are using minty, fruit flavors,” says Dr. Deepa Camenga, an addiction specialist with the American Academy of Pediatrics. “The products that are on the market have extremely high levels of nicotine and young people’s brains are particularly susceptible.”

A report of the U.S. Surgeon General found that, in addition to being highly addictive, nicotine can be harmful to child and adolescent brain development, especially the areas of the brain involved in learning, memory and attention. 

Although tobacco use among U.S. teens has decreased in recent years, the latest survey shows that 2.8 million middle and high school students still use tobacco products, including 2.1 million users of e-cigarettes.

“We’ve made tremendous progress in reducing youth tobacco use, but the tobacco industry is relentless in targeting our kids with flavored e-cigarettes and other flavored products. The FDA and  policymakers at every level of government should commit to removing all flavored tobacco products from the marketplace to protect our kids,” says Yolonda C. Richardson, President & CEO of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

“Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action is a time for communities to stand together against Big Tobacco’s efforts to addict another generation of kids,” she adds.

Take Down Tobacco is a national program of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to empower youth to create change in their communities, with the goal of achieving the first tobacco-free generation. To learn more, visit www.takedowntobacco.org.

(NewsUSA) - April is National Minority Health Month, and Black Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and underserved Americans, are among those disproportionately affected by colorectal cancer, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance), the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the disease.

The Alliance is expanding its health equity efforts to increase awareness of colorectal cancer risk in minority populations and to improve access to screening and care.

“Colorectal cancer is highly treatable when caught early,” said Cedrek McFadden, MD, colorectal cancer surgeon and Alliance Medical Scientific Advisory Committee member. “Providing equity and access for minority and underserved communities with barriers to screening and care must be a priority to help decrease incidence and mortality rates.”

To further address disparities, the Alliance has created a Health Equity Fund and Health Equity Advisory Committee to forge partnerships that:

●Offer free or low-cost screening options to more Americans in need.

●Expand financial assistance for patients during treatment.

●Enable innovative research to identify reasons for and solutions to disparities.

●Connect those most in need with high-quality and potentially lifesaving screening and treatment options.

“The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is committed to breaking down barriers to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment,” said Angele Russell, Senior Director of Partnerships & Health Equity, and leader of the Health Equity Advisory Committee at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. “The Alliance’s Health Equity Fund and Health Equity Advisory Committee were established to address disparities in healthcare and provide free lifesaving screening and care resources to communities most affected by this deadly disease.”

The Alliance urges everyone, especially Black American and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, to know the risk factors and symptoms of colorectal cancer.

Risk factors include a family history of colorectal cancer, certain inherited genetic syndromes such as Lynch syndrome, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer may include a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, weakness and/or fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

The Alliance offers a free and easy online quiz, available in both English and Spanish, that provides a screening recommendation based on personal risk factors. Visit quiz.getscreened.org to take the quiz and receive a customized screening recommendation based on personal risk factors that you can discuss with your doctor.

(NewsUSA) - Advocates of all ages across the country join forces on April 1, Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action, to stand up and speak out against the tobacco industry.

Demonstrations, rallies and educational events are scheduled to expose how the tobacco industry targets kids with flavored, nicotine-filled products. Youth and adults are calling on federal, state and local officials to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products.

“When I finally realized that it wasn’t just cancer that killed my grandma, tobacco did, I started my tobacco prevention journey because I never wanted to see another person lose a loved one to tobacco,” says Neveah, a National Youth Ambassador with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which sponsors Take Down Tobacco.

The tobacco industry has a long history of using flavored products including e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to appeal to children and other vulnerable groups. These flavors mask the harshness of tobacco products, making it easier for kids to start and ultimately become addicted.

“I’m shocked by the number of teens I see vaping who are vaping daily or even continuously. All of them are using minty, fruit flavors,” says Dr. Deepa Camenga, an addiction specialist with the American Academy of Pediatrics. “The products that are on the market have extremely high levels of nicotine and young people’s brains are particularly susceptible.”

A report of the U.S. Surgeon General found that, in addition to being highly addictive, nicotine can be harmful to child and adolescent brain development, especially the areas of the brain involved in learning, memory and attention. 

Although tobacco use among U.S. teens has decreased in recent years, the latest survey shows that 2.8 million middle and high school students still use tobacco products, including 2.1 million users of e-cigarettes.

“We’ve made tremendous progress in reducing youth tobacco use, but the tobacco industry is relentless in targeting our kids with flavored e-cigarettes and other flavored products. The FDA and  policymakers at every level of government should commit to removing all flavored tobacco products from the marketplace to protect our kids,” says Yolonda C. Richardson, President & CEO of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

“Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action is a time for communities to stand together against Big Tobacco’s efforts to addict another generation of kids,” she adds.

Take Down Tobacco is a national program of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to empower youth to create change in their communities, with the goal of achieving the first tobacco-free generation. To learn more, visit www.takedowntobacco.org.

(NewsUSA) - As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform the landscapes of our society, the impact on national security must be a top priority.  

Hear from experts about the latest advancements in how AI innovations are impacting national security at the second annual Ash Carter Exchange, an event held concurrently with the first-ever AI Expo for National Competitiveness. The Carter Exchange will take place simultaneously with the AI Expo at the DC Convention Center, but will be a distinct event with its own programming. 

The Ash Carter Exchange honors the vision of Dr. Ash Carter, who served as Secretary of Defense from 2015-2017, and whose forward-thinking recognition of technology’s role in national security guides our preparation today for the emerging challenges of tomorrow. The event is hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) and Mrs. Stephanie Carter, and is designed as a forum for the exchange of ideas. This year’s Ash Carter Exchange takes place in Washington, D.C., on May 7 and 8, with the goal of building on the groundbreaking discussions and strategic connections made during last year’s event. 

"As we carry forward Dr. Carter's critical mission, we bridge the essential gap between cutting-edge innovation and the safeguarding of our national security," according to Ylli Bajraktari, president and CEO of SCSP. 

“Last year’s Exchange was a testament to the power of collective expertise, bringing together esteemed leaders from the government, industry, and scientific spheres for engaging dialogue. This year, we are poised to delve even deeper into the conversations that shape our national defense.”  

SCSP is a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal to make recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape national security, the economy, and society. 

Speakers currently scheduled to participate in the Ash Carter exchange include Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. Eric M. Smith, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Gen. David W. Allen, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Dr. William A. LaPlante, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; Dr. Heidi Shyu, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Development; LtGen Karsten S. Heckl, Deputy Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; Gen. James E. Rainey, Commanding General, Army Futures Command; Rear Adm. Kurt J. Rothenhaus, Chief, Office of Naval Research; Doug Beck, Director, Defense Innovation Unit; Dr. Stefanie Tompkins, Director, DARPA; Dr. Catherine Marsh, Director, IARPA; Dr. Evelyn N. Wang, Director, ARPA-E; Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, Director of ARPA-H; Gil Herrera, Director of Research, National Security Agency;  Heidi Shyu, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering; Gen. James E. Rainey, Commanding General, Army Futures Command; Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology; Michael Collins, Acting Chair, National Intelligence Council; Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, KCB, ADC, Chief of the Defence Staff, United Kingdom; Nand Mulchandani, Chief Technology Officer, Central Intelligence Agency; Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force; Gen. Anthony Cotton, Commander, United States Strategic Command; Dr. Jason Kelly, Chair, National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology; Dr. Jason Rathje, Director, Office of Strategic Capital, Department of Defense; Dr. Meghan L. O’Sullivan, Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; Dr. Nadia Schadlow, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute; Alan F. Estevez, Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security; Dr. William LaPlante, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisitio and Sustainment; Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, USMC (Ret.), 19^th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Michele Flournoy, Co-founder and Managing Partner, WestExec Advisors.

Don’t miss two exciting days of demos and dialogue with leading experts and technology enthusiasts who share a vision of solidifying the United States as a leader in critical emerging technologies. Visit scsp.ai for more information.

(NewsUSA) - Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PLTR), a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, will be the lead sponsor of the inaugural AI Expo for National Competitiveness. The Expo is hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a non-partisan, non-profit project dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. 

“We are thrilled to have Palantir as our lead sponsor at this year’s event,” said SCSP CEO and President Ylli Bajraktari in a press release. “Palantir is a demonstrated leader in AI, and their support for the Expo we’re organizing is phenomenal. This Expo is the first of its kind in Washington, DC, and we’re proud that Palantir has made the decision to partner with us.” 

Additional sponsors of the Expo include Datenna, Groq, Lockheed Martin, Rhombus, Fathom, Strider, With Honor, and Booz Allen. 

The event will take place on May 7-8, 2024, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. 

The goal of the Expo is to bring together leaders from the private sector, research institutions, and the U.S. government, along with key allies and partners. The Expo provides a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and educate the public on AI innovation and applications in several key areas including national security, the economy, and society.  

“Forums like the SCSP AI Expo are key to fostering the robust and innovative ecosystem needed to maintain our national security and competitive edge,” said Shyam Sankar, CTO at Palantir, in the press release. “We’re excited to support this partnership as a platform to bring latest AI technologies from across the country and create new opportunities across industry, government, and beyond.”  

SCSP also will host the second annual Ash Carter Exchange on Innovation and National Security in conjunction with the Expo. Both the Exchange and the Expo build on the success of last year’s Ash Carter Exchange, and the SCSP’s Global Emerging Technology Summits in 2022 and 2023.  

Tickets to the Expo are free, and the event is open to the public.  

 Visit expo.scsp.ai for more information about registration, exhibiting, and sponsorship.

(NewsUSA) - As Artificial Intelligence advances across the globe with inexorable speed, untold predictions of promise and peril amass. All in all, it’s a perfect time for Amazon bestselling author William Jefferson’s new book, 2102: Pretense, the Play, which catapults present-day technology angst into a stunning future-cast of tomorrow.

In today’s culture, dominated more and more by distant, discarnate, mediated connectivity, 2102: Pretense, the Play takes readers on a journey where wily artificial intelligence challenges the wisdom of the ages.

In this very literary work following Jefferson’s acclaimed Presence, the Play, the new book is set in Onglander, where crimes are tried on stage and the accused must act while donning masks. The better the act, the greater the prospect of acquittal; to refuse, to be real and transparent, brings swift condemnation.

2102: Pretense, the Play is equally terrifying and thrilling, but it’s also a heartwarming tale of unswerving determination, resilience, and hope. In an age of brimming technological advancement, 2102 pays homage to those locked out, cast aside, cowering and unseen.

Richly spirited, the heroine of the novel could possibly be Joan of Arc, mystically incarnate in 2102. Yet no one really knows for sure.

Alias or not, the riveting character goes by the name of Margin, and she travels into the future with Lesser Light, the moon also incarnate, and Shadow the same. Their mission is to seek out the marginalized, those who abide in the shadows and lesser light.

They set their sights on 2102, to see what’s happened to the future, now marginalized. The trio, though, needs an official record of what takes place in the future, so they choose a poet named Quillingsworth to be their scribe. Quillingsworth lives in Poet’s Lodge—a current-day setting that’s most enchanting. Quill and his blue-headed parrot, Loreto, join the trio, forming a quartet called the Eventide Ensemble.

William Jefferson is on the board of the Marshall McLuhan Initiative (MMI) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and is an active member and supporter of the Media Ecology Association, as well as the Institute of General Semantics. The author of several books, Jefferson is the creator of the mystical Isle of Estillyen, beyond of the Storied Sea, introduced in his debut novel, Messages from Estillyen (www.estillyen.com).

Jefferson is no stranger to the literary world, with his latest work following Presence, the Play, a novel in which we, as readers, are treated to an allegorical tale woven across multiple levels: Christian theology, media critique, the hero’s journey, poetic reimagining of classic works, and sheer entertainment. All wrapped in an exploration of the concept of presence and its many manifestations, both divine and mundane. The meticulously crafted storyline evokes the imaginative prose of J.R.R. Tolkien, the spirited perception of C. S. Lewis, and the dramatic flair of Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Back in 1966, the cover of TIME magazine posed a most provocative question in asking, “Is God Dead?” Today, in light of the explosive use of AI, many might ask, “Is Wisdom Dead?” to which this author replies, “Not yet, but AI may be digging wisdom’s grave.”

Writes Jefferson in 2102: Pretense, the Play: “The present world is a theater, the conditions of men are roles: wealth and poverty, ruler and ruled. . . . When this day is cast aside, and that terrible night comes, or rather day, night indeed for sinners, but day for the righteous, when the play is ended, when the masks are removed . . . then the truly rich and the truly poor are revealed.”

Learn more at the author’s website, https://estillyen.com, and purchase the book at https://bit.ly/4avK1S7.

(NewsUSA) - Development Program

New Partnership Offers HVAC Training in Spanish

The US Census Bureau reports that approximately 20% of the US population is Hispanic and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 30% of construction workers are Hispanic.  As baby boomers reach retirement age, Latino workers play an increasingly crucial role in keeping the dynamism of the US labor market and for many of them, having options to education in their native language is critical for developing skills that make them employable.

Since its inception in 2010, Centro Educativo Latino at Lenoir Community College (LCC), in Lenoir County, North Carolina, has become a cornerstone for the Hispanic community, offering over 70 Spanish-language workforce development courses in high-demand trades. 

Carlos Cotto, the Director of Centro Educativo Latino and LCC's Associate Dean of Workforce Development and Latino Programs began his mission to help more Latinos feel welcomed at the college, turning access into more economic opportunities in the state.

“It's sad to say, but the Latino population has never had access to a good, higher education….. they’d be taught at churches, libraries, or a little trailer on the side of the college campus. My intention with CEL was to create a college within a college welcoming the underserved population in their native language.”

A One-of-a-Kind HVAC Program

Recently Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, joined forces with LCC to advance the mission of Centro Educativo Latino, its workforce development program, and increase access to the nation’s first North American Technician Excellence (NATE) HVAC certification hybrid program in Spanish. 

The integration of Interplay’s trades training has elevated the impact of its 200+ hour associate degree program, incorporating online courses and the latest in 3D simulation and VR training technology, presented entirely in Spanish.   

Along with its catalog of online courses, the VR training provided by Interplay is also available to students through the school’s VR headsets, which they cast onto screens during weekend labs, creating a field-like virtual reality environment that enhances safety, engagement and hands-on learning experiences. This dynamic approach puts theory into practice, addressing language barriers and caters to diverse learning styles.  Students get hands-on practice with a wide variety of scenarios and equipment types in a safe, no-fail environment.  

A Model for Equitable Education

This approach to learning marks a tide change in technical education, bridging the gap between theory and practice with innovative opportunities once typically reserved for English-led trade programs.  

Cotto says, "This partnership with Interplay Learning is a significant step forward in providing our students with courses that reinforce NATE and offer the best cutting-edge 3D simulation and VR training in their native language. This comprehensive education ensures they are industry-certified and just as prepared for the demands of rewarding careers and entrepreneurship as their Anglo peers."

Centro Educativo Latino extends its commitment beyond linguistic accessibility by providing an affordable and flexible hybrid model of HVAC instruction, blending Interplay’s online coursework and in-person labs. 

The program addresses the needs of parents and individuals working full-time by offering four hands-on weekend classes, serving approximately 120 students. A sliding-scale pricing model, supported by generous scholarships like Train the East, ensures that education remains financially accessible, reducing student fees to about 3% of comparative state-funded programs. The in-demand program reaches 29 surrounding counties, with its popularity drawing students who travel from out-of-state to participate in the always-full program. Cotto breaks down the costs,

"Our HVAC program adds up to about 240 hours of online and in-person instruction and costs about 3% of the cost of similar state-funded programs. We provide all tools and materials at no extra cost, plus access to college, state, and NATE certifications, ensuring comprehensive value for our students.”

88% of students willingly drive up to 2.5 hours for this program, underlining the dedication and enthusiasm for this valuable educational opportunity. Additionally, the hybrid instructional model has acted as supplemental support for program instructors, enabling their main HVAC instructor, Henry Perez, to expand his mentorship and impact to more students. This past year, Perez received an award for one of HVAC Excellence’s top 25 Most Influential Instructors for 2024. 

Program Outcomes 

Steady Enrollment 

The popular program has continued to attract students from surrounding counties and out-of-state, with enrollment holding steady at 30 students per class. With four classes per weekend, the program averages about 120 students per semester.

Industry-Certified Graduates

99% of students graduate from the program, with 100% obtaining their NATE Core Certification and state EPA, along with various Interplay certifications across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, enhancing their employability and career prospects. 

Strategic Partnerships and Entrepreneurship

The program has established strong relationships with local employers who value the skills and certifications of Centro Educativo Latino graduates, leading to 100% of grads going on to work in the trades. Cotto is particularly proud to share the story of two young women who recently completed the program with honors and are now enjoying a better socioeconomic standard of living, boasting newly attained annual salaries starting at $62,000 a year.  

Cotto explains, “When students show up to local employers with three community college certificates, NATE, the State EPA certification, and a portfolio of about 34 Interplay HVAC certificates, the employer says to us, ‘We need more of these people.’ So we stay well-connected and funnel our students into the workforce when they meet employers' qualifications.”

Cotto also weaves in classes in entrepreneurship to prepare students to start their own trade businesses, which 75-80% of students completing the program have gone on to do. 

“For the longest time, the Latino community never had a place to go for higher education in the skilled trades,” notes Carlos Cotto, director of Centro Educativo Latino and LCC’s associate dean of workforce development and Latino programs. “This partnership with Interplay Learning is a significant step forward in providing our students with comprehensive, cutting-edge 3D simulation and VR training in their native language, ensuring they are industry-certified and well-prepared for the demands of rewarding careers and entrepreneurship.”

The collaboration between LCC and Interplay Learning empowers more individuals within the Latino community to access and excel in trades education. Not only is the program opening doors to new economic opportunities, but it's fostering a more skilled and diverse workforce.

“Empowering the Latino community through accessible trades education aligns seamlessly with our mission,” said Doug Donovan, CEO and founder of Interplay Learning. “We believe in the transformative power of education and technology, and this collaboration exemplifies our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workforce.'”

About Centro Educativo Latino 

With a mission to bridge gaps and empower Hispanic individuals, the Centro Educativo Latino at Lenoir Community College is a pivotal resource for the Spanish-speaking community, offering quality education in their native language.  The program provides Spanish-language courses in workforce development fields like HVAC, welding, and cosmetology, along with ESL classes. Serving over 2,000 students in the last two years significantly increased Latino enrollment at the college, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This initiative underscores Lenoir Community College’s dedication to inclusivity and creating educational opportunities for diverse student populations.

About Interplay Learning

Austin-based Interplay Learning is the industry leader in immersive training solutions for the skilled trades. Interplay’s acclaimed SkillMill training platform enables rapid upskilling and empowers new technicians to be job-ready within weeks, not years. Featuring expert-led videos, hands-on 3D simulations, knowledge checks, and personalized learning paths, SkillMill is more scalable and engaging than traditional training. Leveraging advanced technologies like AI and VR, Interplay is reshaping the future of online skilled trades training, delivering highly effective learning experiences that result in better careers and better lives. 

Recent accolades include Forbes’ 2023 America’s Best Startup Employers, 2022 Inc. 5000 list, 2022 Inc. Best in Business list, and three honorable mentions in Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards. Visit www.interplaylearning.com to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - As a significant portion of the U.S. population ages, a significant transfer of wealth to younger generations is occurring. However, many families have not discussed inheritance plans, and many younger generations may find themselves unprepared, according to new research from Edward Jones, a leading financial services firm.

In fact, 35% of Americans surveyed by Edward Jones said they did not plan to discuss transfer of wealth with their families, despite 48% saying that they planned to leave an inheritance.

“We know it can be extremely uncomfortable and nearly impossible to separate emotions from the financial decisions necessary when planning inheritance and wealth transfer, particularly as givers navigate family priorities beyond finances,” said Lena Haas, Head of Wealth Management Advice and Solutions at Edward Jones. “However, the wealth transfer is well underway, so it’s more important than ever to connect as a family, with the experienced guidance of a financial professional to help navigate the emotions and educate on the process.”

The so-called “great wealth transfer” from the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers will vary, as people live longer and may delay retirement. Edward Jones’ research revealed four scenarios:

Traditional Giving. Older adults transfer wealth through a combination of assets, cash, equities, and real estate.

Giving While Living. Older adults support their families in the moment, paying for family experiences, contributing to education or purchasing homes. However, this strategy may force younger generations to return the favor and support parents in retirement.

Skipping a Generation. Some older adults skip over their adult children and transfer wealth to grandchildren, often in the form of education or future security, but this can lead to hurt feelings and strained relations with adult children who do not directly benefit from this wealth transfer.

No Inheritance. Older adults are living longer, and a combination of more active lifestyles for more years after retirement and/or the expenses of long-term health care means that in some families, little wealth will be left to transfer.

The survey, a joint effort between Edward Jones, Morning Consult and NEXT360 Partners, LLC, a global action research and strategy consultancy, was conducted online between December 28-29, 2023, and included a national sample of 2,202 adults.

According to the survey, only 25% of individuals who receive an inheritance feel prepared to manage it.

Working with an experienced advisor can help, and 57% of those surveyed said that working with a financial professional to guide discussions of wealth transfer and inheritance in advance would facilitate planning and family consensus.

Visit www.edwardjones.com/estateplanning for more information about wealth transfer and financial planning.