Future Events

HEC and Midtown Church are hosting the 3rd Annual Workforce Development Symposium to tackle the most pressing issues related to drivers of health. This includes employment and workplace readiness from a neighborhood and data driven solutions focus. We’ll be joined by national and local experts to share their successes and pivots in implementing workforce initiatives that lead to community transformation.

This year's theme, Rooted & Rising: Connecting Purpose, Workforce & Wellness will help participants better understand how various industries can contribute to creating real jobs for real people throughout the Sacramento region.

Conference Goals and Objectives

• Understand how being Rooted & Rising, connecting purpose, workforce, and wellness, strengthens individual, organizational, and community outcomes.
• Recognize the cost of disconnection and identify its impact on engagement, well-being, workforce participation, and access to opportunities.
• Explore emerging access solutions and promising practices that are growing right now to address barriers and foster greater inclusion, connection, and success.
• Develop actionable strategies to strengthen collaboration, expand access, and create meaningful pathways that align purpose, workforce development, and wellness goals.

Target audience - Leaders in the business, non-profit, government, and faith communities.

Conference Agenda

8:00AM - Registration & Breakfast
8:30AM - Welcome and Opening Remarks | Martin Ross, Health Education Council
8:40AM - Impact Through Faith Communities | Pastors Susie Gamez and Christa Armstead, Midtown Church
9:00AM - The Health Wealth Connection - The Cost of Disconnection: Emerging Solutions and Actions | Debra Oto-Kent, Health Education Council
9:35AM - Community Health Worker (CHW) Apprenticeships for Opportunity Youth & Disconnected Adults | Alexis Devine, Alexis Devine Workforce Consulting; Martin Ross, Health Education Council
10:00AM - Rooted & Rising - Connecting Purpose, Workforce, & Wellness | Moderator - Myisha Robertson; Panelists - Levi Ferguson, Alexis Devine, Maria Medrano, Antonio Humann
10:35AM - Cultivating Successful Training Partnerships | Moderator - Gordon Fowler; Panelists - Robert Meyer, Kelly Brenk, Rodney Black, Jennifer Poff, Clint Robinson
11:10AM - Rooted & Rising - Impact Awards | Honorees - Sutter Health, CSUS Counseling Department, Building Careers Foundation, SETA, Anthem, Midtown Church
11:30AM - Break and Lunch Grab
11:50AM - Keynote Presentation - How Access Can Change Our Futures | Chancellor Torence Powell, Los Rios Community College District
12:25PM - Rooted & Still Rising Executive Women Leader Views on Overcoming Workplace Barriers | Moderator - Debra Oto-Kent; Panelists - Erica Taylor, Lauren Oto, Anita Maldonado, Dr. Arrickia McDaniel
1:15PM - Closing Remarks
1:25PM - Networking

Community members are invited to meet and learn more about companies who are actively hiring for open positions as well learn more about career readiness programs that help people develop skills needed to be more competitive job applicants.

Confirmed employers and job training programs including:
- CalTrans (California Department of Transportation)
- CalRecycle
- California Department of General Services
- California Department of Insurance
- California Conservation Corps
- California Department of Emergency Services (CalOES)
- CalFire
- California Department of Public Health
- Sacramento Employment Training Agency (SETA)
- Center for Employment Opportunties (CEO)
and more

Attend workshops and drop-in support to help you build skills and move closer to your career goals, including:

- Disability supports for job seekers (Workshop)
- Smart resume writing - using technology the right way (Workshop)
- Applying for State of California and County jobs (Workshop and Drop Ins)
- Victimization resource table for individuals directly or indirectly impacted by violence for ages 18-25 (Drop Ins)

Health and Wellness Row hosted by Anthem featuring Anthem, Anthem Medi-Care, Zocalo Health, Project Food Box, and more.

Families are invited to explore and learn about careers and educational opportunities in Health Sciences and Information Technology using VR goggles during the September Fall Family Fest. The VR activities are open to all residents 12 and older.

Information Technology:
Network technician
Cybersecurity Analyst
Web developer

Health Sciences:
Medical assistant
Pharmacy Technician
Surgical Technologist (content blood warning)
Registered Nurse
Phlebotomist (content blood warning)