Students in the Home Health Aide/Mental Health Assisting program at the ACE Center at Hermitage recently stepped out of the classroom and into the community to experience firsthand the challenges faced by individuals who use wheelchairs.
Led by instructor Mrs. Crowder, the field trip gave students the opportunity to navigate real-world obstacles such as curbs, elevators, crowded areas, and uneven surfaces. The goal? To build empathy and awareness of how patients are viewed and supported in public spaces.
This one-year program prepares students to sit for the Mental Health Assisting Certification, and now includes a new clinical partnership with Companion Extraordinaire, a local home health care company. In the spring semester, students will shadow both a Home Health Aide and a Registered Nurse, gaining valuable hands-on experience.
With a class of 12 students—including two seniors—Mrs. Crowder continues to provide meaningful, career-focused learning that connects classroom instruction with compassionate care.
2025 - Home Health Aide Promo
📣 Application Window for 26-27 Now Open!
Interested in joining this program—or one of the many other exciting career and technical education opportunities offered at the ACE Centers at Hermitage, Highland Springs, and Virginia Randolph
✅ Click here to view our visual guide to the ACE Center Programs. Apply now to explore programs in healthcare, engineering, culinary arts, digital media, and more!