Goals of this workgroup include an increase in the number of qualified applicants to area nursing education programs, particularly an increase in qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds so that the diversity of the nursing workforce will better represent the diversity of the Gulf Coast area population. To these ends, the Marketing Workgroup provides oversight for the following initiatives: Middle School Student Awareness Project - a year long series of interactive presentations to 7th and 8th grade students in selected Houston ISD middle schools designed to raise the awareness and attractiveness of nursing careers among students and the adults that influence their career choices. Click here to see the 2003-2004 Nursing Blitz Pilot Program Report. Foreign Trained Nurse Initiative - an ongoing effort to assist those appropriately foreign-trained professional nurses in our community achieve licensure as registered nurses in Texas. Work School Program - a funded grant program that provides financial support for existing hospital employees to pursue training as nurses and other in-demand healthcare occupations. For information regarding the currently funded grant for this program, click here to view an August 2004 report. HISD High School Re-design - a joint project with HISD to strengthen the ties between the Steering Committee and those high schools offering healthcare Small Learning Communities. Click here to access meeting materials.