LSUS, MLK Center finalize workforce development agreement in medical billing and coding

LSUS, MLK Center finalize workforce development agreement in medical billing and coding

SHREVEPORT - LSU Shreveport will be offering classes in medical billing and coding through the Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association's Connected Learning Center, thanks to a partnership finalized Monday.

Shreveport mayor Tom Arceneaux celebrated with officials from the MLK Neighborhood Association and LSUS for this workforce development initiative that will connect neighborhood residents to a high-demand career.

"I want to give praise to MLK Neighborhood Association and to LSUS for having the vision to do something that will benefit this community through workforce development in an area that can really use some workforce development to raise up all people here," Arceneaux said. "Medical billing and coding is a high-paying job with great growth opportunities.

"The mean salaries in this profession are above $50,000 per year -- more than $25 per hour. And it doesn't require a (two-year or four-year) college degree."

Medical billing and coding is one of Louisiana's Five-Star jobs, careers that are in the fastest-growing fields with the highest wages as determined by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

This status allows the program to be eligible for funding from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a federal program that provides states and municipalities resources to support education and job training.

Residents may be eligible to receive financial assistance for training costs and other financial barriers like textbooks and transportation.

"We're excited to start this partnership with LSUS that will create jobs right here in our neighborhood," said Bennie Dotie, president of the MLK Neighborhood Association. "When more people are employed in high-paying jobs, crime goes down."

Dotie's relationship with LSUS began through a nonprofit capacity building cohort with the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research in which Dotie participated in professional development through a half-year program.

Participants will receive a certificate for the 100-hour program that will certify them to work in the ever-growing healthcare industry.

The non-degree program is offered through LSUS Continuing Education.

Residents will attend classes in person at the MLK Connected Learning Center at 1341 Russell Road.

The registration deadline is Sept. 29 for classes that run from Oct. 5 though Jan. 25. The classes are Monday and Thursdays from 6-9:30 p.m. at the center.

LSUS Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith said certificate programs are an increasingly important part of the university's community impact.

"Undergraduate and graduate programs may the be largest and most important part of our mission, but that's not all we do," Smith said. "Higher education is a public good, and that's not just about awarding degrees.

"That includes meeting workforce needs through a number of ways like this partnership."

Leigh Anne Chambers, chief extension officer with LSUS, said this is the first of many programs to be offered through the MLK Connected Learning Center.

"One of our favorite ways to connect with our community is to extend beyond our campus and to reach people where they are at with these extension classes," Chambers said. "We're hoping to expand beyond just medical billing and coding to offer other workforce development classes in addition to youth programs.

"LSUS is committed to the greater community, and we're excited about one of our first extension locations."

The partnership came about through an idea from LSUS student Tory McCoy, who earned his undergraduate business degree and is currently working on his master of business administration.