LAREDO, TX—On Friday, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced more than $3.1 million in federal funds in two separate grants for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). Specifically, TAMIU received a $1,937,380 grant as part of the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program for its ADVancing the Instruction of Science Educators (ADVISE) Project and a $1,169,398 grant for its Advanced Nursing Education Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (ANE-SANE) Program.

ADVancing the Instruction of Science Educators (ADVISE) Project

The HSI grant, which comes from U.S. Department of Education, will help TAMIU expand educational opportunities and improve the attainment of Hispanic students. The ADVISE Projects is aimed at increasing the pool of Hispanic Science teachers committed to teaching high-need schools in both rural and urban districts in Webb County.

Over five years, the project will prepare at least 60 qualified, state certified general science teachers who will be employed primarily at Laredo and United independent school districts. Currently, TAMIU has a 94 percent Hispanic and a 79 percent low-income student population. The funding is for five years covering annual budget costs ranging up to $424,052.

“The ADVISE Program will afford Webb County Hispanic students, regardless of their economic background, the opportunity to participate in general science higher education curriculums,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This year, through the House Appropriations Committee, I was able to help secure $157 million in funding, a $15 million increase from FY17, for the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program. This will continue to provide funding for migrant workers and their children, so they can pursue college or training for jobs.”

TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz said “As we look to the future, we know that it will surely be measured in science-driven innovation.  The TAMIU ADVISE program will help to ensure that we empower a talented pool of qualified State -general science teachers who can educate and lead the next generation of scientists.  Those young scientists will lead discovery and innovation for generations to come. We are gratified that Congressman Cuellar shares in this expansive vision of a world made better by science education.”  

Advanced Nursing Education Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (ANE-SANE) Program

The ANE-SANE program grant, which is being funded through the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, will fund advanced nurse education to help increase the number of forensic nurses who are trained and certified as sexual assault nurse examiners. The project seeks is to provide better physical and mental health care for survivors, better evidence collection, and higher prosecution rates.

One of the project’s goals is to train 54 predominantly Hispanic registered nurses over the next 3 years. This includes the faculty nurses who are actively practicing the profession. This funding is for an anticipated three-year budget at approximately $390,000 annually.

According to 2017 US Census data, Webb County has an estimated 274,794 residents, but there is only one active SANE trained nurse in the target area. A recent report from the Laredo Police Department indicates that so far in 2018, only 8 percent, or 7 out of 79, sexual assault victims were taken to the emergency room for forensic evaluation.

Congressman Cuellar said “The ANE-SANE Program will utilize the actively practicing nursing faculty at TAMIU, and expand their numbers, in order to better service this medically underserved region. These services need to be provided directly to our local residents by local practitioners. This network will ensure that victims will no longer need to be transferred to a SANE facility outside Webb County due to lack of SANE nurses in the area.”

“Once again, the University, in partnership with Congressman Cuellar, proudly steps forward as the lead agent in forging a solution to a troubling problem: the chronic shortage of SANE nurses here.  In doing so, we fulfill our mission of creating programs responsive to local needs and through strategic community collaborations, deliver needed healthcare specialists to our service region,” said TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz.

Congressman Henry Cuellar Presents Advanced Nursing Education Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (ANE-SANE) Program Grant to Texas A&M International University in Laredo on Friday.

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