Frequently Asked Questions

On this page you will find some of the questions that we are asked by Forum members and students, as well as answers to those questions. If you don't find the answer to your question on this page, please feel free to contact us with any additional questions you may have.

Q: What is considered low income?

A: The Southland Health Care Forum follows the federal poverty guidelines for low income. You can follow the link to check the guidelines. http://www.aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtm

Q: What are the qualifications?

A: The qualifications are as follows:
1. All participants must be 18 or older
2. Have a high school diploma or GED (to be presented on specified testing date)
3. Must be an Illinois State resident, acceptable proof of residency includes a State ID or Driver's License
4. Must come for a household considered to be low income or unemployed; follow the link below to view guidelines http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtml
5. Must pass & complete T.A.B.E. testing with a minimum score of 9.0; all applicants must take this exam even if they have obtained a degree.

Q: What do I need in order to sign up?

A: When a participant first inquires about the program you are not required to bring in any documentation. Unless you have a bachelor’s degree at which point you will need to bring in a copy of your degree and/or transcripts.

Q: What are the hours that I can sign up?

A: The Southland Health Care Forum is open Monday – Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., during normal business hours anyone that is interested in the program can come in to sign up.

Q: When do the classes start?

A: The schedules for all programs are given to the participants before the class is to begin.

Q: When is a good time to sign up?

A: Once a participant is ready to sign up for the programs that the Southland Health Care Forum has to offer you can come in to sign up during normal business hours: Monday – Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Q: Do I have to take the exam in order to be eligible?

A: Anyone that would like to be considered for any of the programs at the Southland Health Care Forum has to pass and complete the T.A.B.E. test with a minimum score of a 9.0.

Q: Can I sign up over the phone?

A: In order to sign up for any program offered at the Southland Health Care Forum you must first come into the office to gather the information. At which point you will be informed of the next step in the process according to which program you are interested in.

Q: How long is the training?

A: There are several programs offered at the Southland Health Care Forum; the length of the programs vary depending on which program you are interested in.

Q: Do the training classes have a clinical component?

A: Yes, there is a clinical component for the classes that require a clinical.

Q: Does the Southland Health Care Forum offer internships?

A: Yes, there are internship opportunities for the participants who successfully complete the program that they were enrolled in.

Q: What is the class schedule?

A: The class schedules are not given out until a participant is accepted into the program; at which point the schedules will be given to the students according to the class that they are enrolled in.

Q: How many times am I allowed to take the test?

A: A participant is allowed to take the T.A.B.E. test as many times as they need to obtain a qualifying score for any class.

Q: If I have attended college previously do I still have to take the T.A.B.E. test?

A: Any participant that has previously attended college is required to take the exam.

Q: Does the Southland Health Care Forum do job placement?

A: The Southland Health Care Forum does not do job placement. However, we do offer career services to the participants of the program who are seeking employment during and after the program.

Q: Do I have to work for Southland Health Care Forum once I've completed the program?

A: The Southland Health Care Forum does not require it's participants to be employed at the organization once training is complete. Participants are encouraged to utilize the career services at the Forum to gain employment in the healthcare field.

Q: Where are the classes held at?

A: The majority of the classes are held in the main office of the Southland Health Care Forum in Chicago Heights. There are a few programs that are held off site, either in Matteson, IL or in South Holland, IL.

Q: What is the cost of the program?

A: The programs that are offered at the Southland Health Care Forum are all grant funded programs, which means that the programs are free of cost to all those who meet the qualifications.

Q: Does the Southland Health Care Forum pay for the supplies for the training class?

A: Books, supplies, and uniform shirts are provided to all students that are enrolled in the programs. It is up to the participant to supply their own uniform pants and shoes.

Q: If I do not meet the low income guideline can I pay for the class?

A: The Southland Health Care Forum is a nonprofit organization, therefore if you do not meet the guidelines you are not able to pay for the classes that are offered.

Q: What programs does Southlan Health Care Forum offer?

A: Currently Southland Health Care Forum offers training classes in Clinical Medical Assistant, CNA and Dialysis.

Q: Does the Southland Health Care Forum offer CPR training classes for people outside of their program?

A: In order to take part in any training that the Southland Health Care Forum has to offer, a person must be a part of one of the training programs that are offered.

Q: Can I take one class out of a program or am I required to take all the classes within a certain program?

A: Each training program that is offered at the Southland Health Care Forum contains more than one component. We encourage that all of the participants complete the program of their interest in its entirety.

Q: Is there a waiting list for the class?

A: There is a waiting list for all of the programs that we offer here at Southland Health Care Forum. If someone is interested in signing up for a program they are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

Q: How long is the waiting list?

A: The waiting list varies for each program; however if someone is interested in signing up for a program they are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

Q: Does the Southland Health Care Forum assist people outside of the state of Illinois?

A: At this time the Southland Health Care Forum only assists those who are current Illinois state residents.

Q: Are convicted felons allowed to take any of the programs offered at Southland Health Care Forum?

A: All cases are not the same. Therefor, if a person has been convicted of a felony they are encouraged to call the Southland Health Care Forum to get more information in regards to their particular situation.

Q: When is the next available testing date?

A: Those interested in signing up for a testing date are encouraged to come into the office to see what the next available testing dates are or call the main office.

Q: Is the Southland Health Care Forum office located inside of the St. James Hospital?

A: The Southland Health Care Forum office is located in the Boulevard Medical Clinic office building on the 4th floor. The address is 30 E. 15th Street Suite 405, Chicago Heights, IL 60411.

Q: After completing the program am I guaranteed a job?

A: The Southland Health Care Forum cannot guarantee any of the participants employment. However, all participants are encouraged to take part in the career services that the Southland Health Care Forum offers.