Driving Our Economy Forward: Bluecross Blueshield Switch Academy

The Switch Academy helps Hamilton County students with learning challenges get the tools they need for success outside the classroom.

Recently, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent, Justin Robertson, joined several Bluecross and Hamilton County School leaders celebrate 21 students who are part of the programs that recently launched on Cameron Hill.

This is just another business helping to Drive Our Economy Forward.

“We’re grateful that you have taken a time out of your day to join us for uh the official launch and announcement of Switch Academy.”

“Switch Academy is the overarching program really for three very specific programs. One is switch to adulting which is designed to help students to learn those life skills when it comes to uh becoming an adult. The second is transition to work. And so we really invest in students to ensure that they are ready by using skills to get into the workforce. And then the last is Project Search. And Project Search typically is a group of students who become interns and we find jobs for them. And they are ages 18 through 22,” said Michelle Sermon-Davis, Chief Learning Officer at Bluecross Blueshield

Dr. Justin Robertson: “I want to say congratulations and uh good luck in this. We’re super proud of you guys and really looking forward to what you’re going to do uh moving forward,” said Dr. Justin Robertson, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent.

“We’re so excited in collection or collaboration with other wonderful companies across the city. About 86% of those students are still employed here in Hamilton County which I think is great. So our role is to make sure that we are a part of the assessment process to ensure that we’re identifying students. Uh again in partnership with Hamilton County who are ready to become a part of this program,” said Sermon-Davis.

“And I just want to take a point of personal privilege and have my friends to stand up. Hey guys stand up so they can see you. Stand up and say hi. Stand up yeah,” said Lucas Cintron, a student at SWITCH Academy.

“But then we have mentors here on campus. We have several departments whether it’s the mail room or our cafeteria for example, who find positions that will help them to really practice and hone in on those uh life skills but also the skills that help them to transition into full-time employment,” said Sermon-Davis.

“This is my second year in the program. I currently work at the Chattanooga Zoo. I even been learn more than job skills I know how to wake up on myself. I know how to do my own laundry. I even got a driver’s permit. (applause),” said Cintron.

“We really want to make sure that we’re identifying students and putting them on a pathway that would lead them to success. on our side it’s a matter of making sure that we comb the entire organization to say, where do we have jobs or roles or experiences where students can really understand this is something not only that I could do for fun, but it will also help me to be the best person that I can be. And I can get paid potentially uh in a job that we have created as a job for the student. The the goal is to make sure that every heartbeat, every person, no matter who you are, but especially these students have a path forward. And the path forward is feeling that they can make a contribution to their community, uh to the economy. We try to make sure that they have apartments or places to live. And so it’s helping them to become solid citizens within the Chattanooga community. And that’s what this program enables them to do,” said Sermon-Davis.