Harris County Department of Education’s Adult Education program is committed to providing residents with a second chance at an education. With an eye on the future, the program is expanding and enhancing its course offerings. All in an effort to support its students who possess the grit and perseverance to handle any challenge.
The team has spent the last few months forming partnerships with local vendors and workforce organizations to expand certification opportunities that not only meet federal requirements but also align with the region’s labor needs, ensuring adult learners can translate their skills into meaningful employment.
Integrated Health Solutions II currently sponsors several phlebotomy classes. Director Sheri Flowers is now working closely with Honold to develop a new medical billing and coding course designed to prepare students to work with insurance companies and perform administrative tasks.
“The sky is the limit with medical billing,” Flowers said. “This certification will give individuals the opportunity to obtain an administrative position in a medical office where they will schedule room availability, verify insurance, work with patients, bill and post payments and more.”
The accelerated curriculum will teach students how to translate patient diagnoses and services into universal codes that are used to process insurance claims accurately and ensure that healthcare providers are paid correctly. Throughout the 6- to 8-week hybrid program, students can attend instructional sessions online and then participate in in-person classes, where they can work through simulations that they may encounter in the office.
When Flowers dropped out of high school due to a teen pregnancy, she described feeling hopeless. Only after she obtained her GED and coding certification did the door open to a career in the medical field. She believes this course could have the same impact on many Harris County residents.
“I think many people who have lost their way think life is over for them, but it’s not because I was once in the same situation as you and now, I have my college degree and am currently working towards my master’s,” Flowers said. “Keep working and pushing because you can do this.”
Enrollment for the medical billing and coding class will begin toward the end of the year, with the first class scheduled to begin in January 2026.
Dr. William Hill, founder and director of Uncharted Territories Solutions, is one of Adult Education’s newest vendors who launched the division’s first hybrid phlebotomy class. Students meet twice weekly to learn the proper collection of blood and other specimens with their online instructor. On specific days throughout the semester, students will report for in-person classes, where they will apply their newfound skills to work with volunteers and practice on dummies.
As a product of a single-parent household, Hill understands the necessity for certification courses that offer learners flexibility.
“These hybrid courses are really decreasing the barriers as far as transportation, child care and accessibility for some students,” Hill described. “Using the available research and technology will help us get a few more people who actually need help to get across the finish line.”
In addition to the push for hybrid classes, many workforce certification instructors are also adjusting their curriculum to be Spanish-speaker-friendly. A new initiative will place ESL teachers in certification classes to ensure students can participate and understand the material.
“Essentially, those ESL teachers will be in the classroom supporting students in learning the language while they become certified in a vocation,” Honold said. “Those students will also have a specialized class where they can review vocabulary, the material and prepare for qualification exams.”
Honold believes the initiative will be a breakthrough for the division, enabling an increased number of bilingual students to be certified for entry-level employment in the medical field.
“There’s a lot of demand for bilingual individuals in the healthcare sector,” Honold said. “Many of the English language learners who recently completed our CNA program were hired immediately by nursing homes. In some cases, they got paid a premium for being bilingual.”
Through every change, Adult Education remains steadfast in its mission to provide residents with a second chance that leads to education and sustainable employment. By adapting programs, expanding partnerships and removing barriers to access, the team continues to empower learners to rewrite their stories and build brighter futures.
“We have exciting connections with employers, and they know that we offer quality training,” Honold said. “Our students are prepared and ready to seize their next opportunity.”