Program provides opportunity for migrant workers.

– Posted on October 22, 2020Posted in: New and Noteworthy, News, Uncategorized

Melissa Hurtado 
Reporter

Crowder College received a U.S. Department of Education High School Equivalency Program (HEP) grant starting July 1, 2020.  HEP is an educational program for migrant workers and their families providing free General Education Program (GED) and High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) classes.  

 “The HEP program and College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) provide Crowder College with the opportunity to provide federal grant resources to the four-state area . . . ,” said Lisa O’Hanahan, HEP and CAMP Director. 

The HEP program provides participants Spanish and English instruction, school supplies, textbooks, transportation assistance, testing fees, training workshops scholarships, and placement assistance for job, school, and training. Additionally, CAMP is a federally funded program designed to provide an opportunity for students from an agricultural or migrant background to successfully complete their freshman year of college. 

Students may qualify for HEP if they are over 16 years of age or older and have spent a minimum of 75 days during the past 24 months as a migrant or seasonal farmworker. Alternatively, students may be eligible if at least one immediate family member has spent a minimum of 75 days during the past 24 months as a migrant or season farm worker. Furthermore, student participants in Migrant Education Program (MEP) or National Farmworker Job Program (NFJP) in the last two years may qualify for HEP as well.   

“Understanding [students’] background, their struggles, their victories, and how they learn best, allows me, and the program to serve them in a way that makes the learning process individual and holistic,” expressed O’Hanahan. “I believe that as educators, our role is to facilitate learning in a capacity that allows the student to explore more about themselves while educating them in the process.” 

“CAMP has helped me by paying for my freshman year” said Jessica Gonzalez, CAMP participant and freshman. “If it wasn’t part of the CAMP program then I would be lost or behind in my classes. I really enjoy the program because you meet other students and become close like family” 

For more information, contact Lisa O’Hanahan: 417-455-5520 or visit Crowder College website CAMP/HEP.