Santa Fe College has begun its seventh Phlebotomy Program cohort as part of the ACB Excel initiative, which aims to increase access to higher education for parents and their children. The ACB Excel (Achieve, Conquer, Believe, Excel) program is designed for unemployed or underemployed parents, offering a career-focused curriculum along with childcare and meals for their school-aged children at no cost. After completing the program, participants receive assistance in finding employment or continuing their education at Santa Fe College.
The current cohort consists of 14 parents and 21 children. They meet twice weekly at the college’s Institute for Public Safety, with classroom instruction scheduled from August 26 to December 4, followed by clinical training in January.
Lasanya, a participant and mother of one, joined the program after moving to Gainesville last fall. She missed the previous application deadline but was among the first accepted into this group. She plans to pursue further education to become a Medical Assistant and then a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) within a year. Leah, another participant with two children, recently completed a Medical Assistant certificate and is now training as a phlebotomist. She intends to gain experience before enrolling in the LPN program, aiming eventually to become a Registered Nurse.
“Our students’ dedication and resilience are at the heart of ACB Excel,” said Program Coordinator Valerie White. “We are proud to not only provide career training but also to support parents in building brighter futures for their families.”
Since its launch in 2022, ACB Excel has partnered with organizations such as United Way of North Central Florida’s Reading Pals, Cade Museum, Truist Bank, Alachua County School Board, and Blakeland Construction. These partnerships provide families with academic support and employment resources. The college plans to expand future offerings to include programs in Building Maintenance, CNA/EKG Technician, Paraprofessional, Medical Billing & Coding, and Sterile Processing Technician.
