IU Health Frankfort Hospital and the Learning Network of Clinton County are celebrating the success of a collaborative workforce development initiative designed to equip local residents with essential skills, professional certifications, and access to new career pathways.
The 64-hour training program, held on-site at IU Health Frankfort Hospital, provided participants with a supportive and professional learning environment. To remove barriers to attendance and help learners remain focused, IU Health supplied lunch and snacks throughout the program.
To qualify for participation, candidates were required to complete a language assessment exam—administered in both English and Spanish by ALTA Language Services. Trainer Monica Zarate-Blaisdell guided the cohort using materials from Cross Cultural Healthcare & Training and WIN Career Readiness, preparing them for the credentialing exams.
Participants Earned Three Professional Credentials:
Bridging the Gap Certificate – Foundational skills in healthcare interpretation and communication support
WIN Indiana Essential Soft Skills Credential – Recognizing proficiency in communication, professionalism, and critical thinking
Session One: Introduction to the CLAS Standards Certificate – Emphasizing culturally and linguistically appropriate services in healthcare
“This kind of training not only prepares people for jobs—it prepares them to lead,” said Monica Zarate-Blaisdell, Bridging the Gap Professional Interpreter Instructor for the Learning Network of Clinton County. “These credentials help our community grow stronger, more inclusive, and more prepared.”
The following participants successfully completed the program and earned all three credentials:
Angelica Vargas
Rania Abdalla
Brenda Diana Herrera Martinez
Susana Avila Gayton
Claudia Aeschliman
Nancy Linares
This training initiative highlights the shared commitment between IU Health and the Learning Network to expand health equity, education, and economic mobility in Clinton County—particularly for minority and underserved residents.
Plans are already in progress to offer additional sessions and specialized trainings in fall 2025 and spring 2026.
About the Learning Network of Clinton County
The Learning Network of Clinton County, Inc. provides programs to strengthen workforce skills, expand career potential, enhance lifelong learning, and support both youth and adults in continuing education. Now more than 20 years old, the organization partners with nearly every local nonprofit, educational institution, and business in the county—including organizations in the Frankfort industrial park. Its flexible structure allows it to respond quickly to emerging needs and deliver training in accessible, community-based locations.
For more information, visit www.lnocc.org.