Whether serving at home or abroad, the cherished members of our military community have taken it upon themselves to help keep America safe. This fraternity of active duty, Veteran, and retired service people play a vital role in our nation’s security, and often continue that commitment when they no longer wear the uniform.

Prior to 1949, each of the four major branches of the military enjoyed their own day of appreciation. However, then-Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson combined each branch’s respective holiday into Armed Forces Day.

The military is made primarily of volunteers, so those who choose to serve delay advancing their college and civilian careers. We enjoy our freedoms because they sacrificed theirs, so tomorrow, please offer your thanks to the brave men and women who make up our Armed Forces.

Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. Police officers continually serve our country with courage, integrity and honor, and this special occasion gives individuals and organizations the opportunity to remember their bravery and say “Thank You” to our nation’s law enforcement heroes.

In recognition of National Police Week, the instructors and students of ICDC College’s Homeland Security program at the Huntington Park, South Bay, Van Nuys, and online campuses conducted a special “End of Watch” ceremony on May 15^th to honor all of the U.S. law enforcement heroes who lost their lives in the line of duty this year. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page website (ODMP) there are 41 police officers who died in 2013.*

“It’s important for all of us to remember those police officers who took the oath and wore the badge to protect and serve until the end of their watch,” said ICDC College’s Homeland Security Program Director. “ICDC College joins the rest of the nation in saluting these brave law enforcement heroes.”

* Sources: (May 10, 2013). In The Officer Memorial Page, Inc. (Retrieved from http://www.odmp.org/search/year?year=2013

“The City of Los Angeles offers many opportunities for our students, whether they seek a career as a police officer or crime scene technician. Many students do not realize that there are many law enforcement agencies with potential opportunities for employment, such as LAPD, Los Angeles Airport Police, and the Los Angeles General Police department, to name a few,” said ICDC College’s Homeland Security Program Director. “We’re excited to partner with the LAPD and to have a chance for our students to meet the police officers who protect and serve our communities throughout Los Angeles.”

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Think you or someone you know might be interested in pursuing a career in homeland security investigation? Please visit icdccollege.edu to learn more.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our program pages at: http://ww2.icdccollege.edu/icdccollege.edu/fields-of-study

So today, May 10^th, we celebrate Military Spouses Appreciation Day to honor the dedication and commitments made by the partners of our service men and women. First created by President Reagan¹, this important holiday is part of National Military Appreciation Month, which was created in 1999.

ICDC College is proud of the commitment our military spouses make. Raising a family, being a supportive friend, and building a career are challenging enough when your loved one is right next to you. But when they’re in uniform and away from home, climbing the mountain of success becomes harder when you have to do it alone.

To help military spouses continue to attain the career options they desire, ICDC College accepts a number of military benefits (for those who qualify), including:

• Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
• Government financial aid available (if qualified), including Pell Grants and VA Veterans Educational Benefits
• Post 9/11 GI Bill²
• Yellow Ribbon Scholarship (participant)

ICDC College has also earned the distinction of being one of the nation’s top Military Friendly Schools for 2013³, according to G.I. Jobs magazine.

So today, and every other day, please show your appreciation for military spouses. They face a long road, and often must heroically do so alone!

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Born in Yuma, Arizona, to immigrant parents, on March 31, 1927, Chavez migrated to California where he and his family worked as farm laborers and experienced various forms of oppression such as backbreaking labor, long hours, meager wages and racism. Because of his first-hand experience with these conditions, Chavez decided to dedicate his life to raising awareness and improving the working conditions of farm workers in California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida.

For over 30 years, Chavez lead a number of non-violent strikes, marches, and organized fasts to champion the cause, resulting in nationwide attention and support. Chavez established a legacy similar to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that serves as a role model for everyone, regardless of nationality, creed or color.

Former Governor of California Gray Davis signed into law a state holiday for Cesar Chavez for the state of California on August 18, 2000, which is now recognized in other states.**

By presidential proclamation on March 30, 2011, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 31^st as Cesar Chavez Day. “I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate service, community, and educational programs to honor Cesar Chavez’s enduring legacy,” said the President.***

On October 8, 2012, President Obama traveled to Keene, California to dedicate the Cesar Chavez National Monument. This marks the second time a presidential dignitary visited California on behalf of Cesar Chavez. In 1968, Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy visited Chavez following one of his hunger fasts and described him as “one of the heroic figures of our time.”^ Since his death in 1993, many celebrations have been held across America in recognition for his life’s work.

ICDC College salutes Cesar Chavez.

Sources:

*Farming on the Edge: Top 20 States. Retrieved from http://www.farmland.org/resources/fote/states/top20.asp

** L. Deutsch, The Daily Courier (August 20, 2001) Retrieved from http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=894&dat=20000820&id=S-EuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KU0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6556,2600642

*** Office of the White House Press Secretary, (March 30, 2011) Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/30/presidential-proclamation-cesar-chavez-day

^ Cesar Chavez Foundation, Retrieved from http://www.chavezfoundation.org/_page.php?code=001001000000000

Active duty military personnel, members of the Army National Guard, and reservists felt the impact of sequester cuts recently when the Army, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard announced that they would immediately suspend their tuition-assistance programs, which gives soldiers as much as $4,500 annually to further their education.  The move sparked public outcry among service members, veterans, law makers, military supporters and educational institutions.

Last week, Congress passed a bill to prevent cuts to military tuition assistance, allowing thousands of military personnel to continue their educational goals without having to find additional funding sources. Sens. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla. and Kay Hagan, D-N.C., were initial sponsors of the Senate bill introduced earlier this week.

“Many of our service members join the forces with the goal of advancing their educations, and we must keep our promises to them,” Senator Hagan said in a statement.*

While tuition assistance cuts would not have affected other forms of financial aid available to military personnel – such as the G.I. Bill, federal grants and scholarships – many opponents of the proposed cuts argued that service members’ access to education would have been severely limited, and many would have been forced to use their other military benefits prematurely.

The Coast Guard’s suspended tuition assistance program remains in effect however, since the agency receives its funding from the Department of Homeland Security.

Now that the bill has become a law, it applies only through September 30, 2013 – the end of the fiscal year.

With military service members facing unemployment upon returning home from active duty, it becomes even more critical for our government to establish a continued plan to help them earn a college degree and become more marketable to employers.

*Maze, R. (March 20, 2013). In Army Times. Retrieved from http://www.armytimes.com/news/2013/03/military-senate-votes-to-restore-tuition-assistance-032013w/.

ICDC College is proud to offer a Dental Laboratory Specialist Certificate that will train students to have the entry-level skills needed to improve the overall health and appearance of dental patients everywhere.

Dental laboratory specialists could be considered the sculptors of the oral healthcare field because of their unique skill in creating a variety of dental appliances, such as:

• Molds of patients’ teeth and oral soft tissues
• Full dentures for patients who are missing all or most of their teeth
• Removable partial dentures or fixed bridges for those missing only one or a few teeth
• Crowns to cover the tooth and restore its original size and shape
• Orthodontic appliances and splints to help straighten and protect teeth

Students can complete the certificate program in just six months. Courses include:

• Fixed Restorative Techniques
• Orthodontic/Pedodontic Principles and Techniques
• Removable Partial Denture Principles and Techniques
• Complete Denture Principles and Techniques
• And more!

Upon graduation, students can consider working in a number of areas including, dental laboratories and private dental offices.

Interested in this program? Think you have what it takes? Call 888-926-4232 to speak to an admissions representative who can help you change your life today!

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For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our program page at: http://ww2.icdccollege.edu/icdccollege.edu/dental-laboratory-specialist-certificate.

You can be at the top one day and completely forgotten the next. So, when you maintain your humility while at the top, you never know of the people who will want to help you back up when others no longer remember your name. Remember, other people have encouraged, taught, or given you an opportunity to help you get where you are, so part of being humble is being that person for someone else. Even if you haven’t had much help, and feel you owe all your success to yourself, then be the individual who others can turn to and ask for guidance. Here are some tips on how to maintain your humility:

• Help others. If you see someone in your class, company, or sport struggling with the exact thing you’re succeeding in, offer them some help.
• Express your gratitude. When people compliment you or praise you, don’t forget to say thank you! Most importantly, thank others who help you or assist you.
• Don’t be condescending. Don’t speak down to others; don’t act like you’re better than other people. Treat your teammates, classmates, and coworkers as equals. These individuals will respect you more when you don’t act as if you’re better than they are!

No one’s saying you can’t let yourself shine bright! Keep wowing people with your curve ball, your impressive grades, or your high sales rate due to your personable demeanor … just do it with a slice of humility.

• Who doesn’t enjoy a good meal? If you can’t find an available reservation, make dinner at home, light some candles, and play some soulful tunes. Make your partner’s favorite meal or something he/she has been craving. This shows you take initiative and are observant to your partner’s needs and preferences.
• Make a thoughtful gift! Think of all the special, funny, and even trying times you’ve spent with your partner and handwrite a long letter expressing your gratitude and devotion. Think it’s sappy? It doesn’t have to be. Incorporate a favorite song lyric or an inside joke you two have, and adorn your partner with some witty, genuine thought.
• Channel your youth. Go to an arcade, hit some balls at the batting cages, or go for a hike. Didn’t we all love movie nights as kids? Choose your and your partner’s favorite romantic movie, and have a film night.
• Flowers/Movie tickets. Always a good idea.
• Single? So what! Just because you’re not with anyone doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. Maybe you are enjoying your time without a partner and would like to celebrate with a group of friends. Go out for dinner or have a soiree at your house. Though, don’t feel obligated to do something. There’s nothing wrong with running a bath, taking out the book you’re currently reading, and having some you-time.

Sure, not everyone likes to celebrate, but take this holiday as a reminder to show your partner, family member, or friend how much you care about them, and use it as an excuse to spend quality time with one another.

Happy Valentine’s Day from ICDC Life!

You’ve been there before. It’s the start of the work day, or perhaps even the end of it, and a feeling of dissatisfaction sweeps over you. Is this really what you’re going to spend the rest of your life doing? When someone asks you how work was, do you sigh and say, “another day, another dollar”?

These are all tell-tale signs that you’re bored with your job and aren’t getting the most out of your career. The good news, though, is that help might be on the way. According to a recent article, the medical assistant field is projected to be one of the top career fields in 2013. If you have a sick friend, and your gut instinct is to make them lemon tea and chicken soup, instead of sticking them in a germ-proof bubble until they’re better, then embracing your nurturing side by switching to a position in healthcare might be a great choice to rescue you from a deadlocked career!

ICDC College is proud to offer a Medical Assistant Fast-Track Diploma program that can be completed in as little as nine months. Graduates will have the entry-level training necessary to help run the administrative front office and/or clinical back office areas of medical and healthcare clinics. As part of the training for this field, students will take such diverse courses as:

• Anatomy and Medical Terminology
• Medical Assisting Laboratory Procedures
• Medical Insurance Forms and Billing Procedures
• Computerized Billing
• Patient Preparation and Care

As a medical assistant, you’ll be qualified to work in hospitals, healthcare centers, medical clinics, offices, and laboratories, handling both administrative duties, as well as basic patient care. Recent changes to national healthcare policies have resulted in hiring increases in different parts of the industry, many of which benefit those with medical assistant training. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that hiring for medical assistants should increase by 31% through 2020,¹ so now is the time to switch to a career with a bright future!

ICDC College is proud to offer its Medical Assistant Fast-Track Diploma programs at its three Los Angeles-based campuses in Van Nuys, South Bay, and the Main Campus in Huntington Park.

Think you or someone you know might have what it takes to become a medical assistant? Then call (888) 926-4232 today! Or, fill out the form at top right to speak to an admissions representative and change your life today!

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our program page at http://ww2.icdccollege.edu/icdccollege.edu/medical-assistant-fast-track-diploma.