ALLIED HEALTH PROJECT

In March 2001, the Telecommunications Infrastructure (TIF) Board awarded El Centro College a two-year Discovery grant of $505,232 (with an additional $50,523 matching funds from the College) for producing and implementing streaming audio and video content in the distance education courses of El Centro College's Allied Health and Nursing Programs.

Project funds are used to purchase hardware, software, and Internet access resources, as well as training, to integrate Tegrity and RealNetworks streaming media files into online Ecampus Health Occupations courses.

Starting in June 2002, the Coordinator of the Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Program (Janet Ward) will initiate the Advanced Technical Certificate option in partnership with at least four non-profit/public hospitals throughout Texas. The streaming media files will greatly enhance the quality of the information available to the online students. These resources will also be used to supplement information for the oncampus ICVT students.

There is a critical need to provide better training to health care workers throughout Texas, as well as to implement new ideas to help solve the critical shortage of health care professionals. Implementation of streaming media will improve the quality of online health occupations courses. This content will be used in both "enhanced" classes oncampus and our totally online courses.

TIF (Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund) grant is dedicated to connecting people through a viable and sustainable telecommunications infrastructure for schools, libraries, health care facilities and higher education institutions.

The mission of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board is to help Texas deploy an advanced telecommunications infrastructure by stimulating universal and scaleable connectivity for public schools, higher education, public libraries, and nonprofit healthcare facilities.

The TIF Board has a mandate to promote universal service in Texas, by the development of telecommunications infrastructure that meets its education, healthcare, and information-sharing needs. It also effects technology training programs and encourages quality content that strengthens education, healthcare, and libraries in Texas.

State legislation was enacted that anticipates a global marketplace in which Texas is destined to play a major role. This legislation, House Bill 2128 (also referred to as the Public Utility Regulatory Act of 1995, or "PURA ‘95"), transformed Texas’ regulatory environment for telecommunications to spur economic development throughout the state. As part of that legislation, TIF was created as a catalyst and supporter of public access to an advanced communications technology network.

Via TIF grants, models of innovative collaborative projects have deployed advanced telecommunications technologies to solve educational, information sharing, healthcare, and connectivity problems. The TIF grants awarded to El Centro College are perfect examples of this initiative.

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Main & Lamar
Dallas, TX 75202-3604