The Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) Foundation is proud to announce a partnership with the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation establishing a scholarship for students studying to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The scholarship will provide a one-time gift of $1,000 that will cover tuition, books, fees, and pay for the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry Exam.

The CNA program at NACC requires classroom work, lab practice, and for students to complete an internship. It is a non-credit program and will not lead toward a college degree. Participants must be 16 years of age or older and show proof of a negative TB skin test prior to clinical training. CNAs provide basic patient care, under the direction of nursing staff, for individuals confined to hospitals, nursing care facilities, and mental health settings.

“We are so honored that the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation is helping our healthcare students with this scholarship,” stated NACC President Dr. David Campbell. “They have always been such good, caring members of our community. Jeff and the Band Alabama reached international stardom, but he and the Band never left their hometown people behind.”

In 2013, Jeff Cook, founding member of the super group, Alabama, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In 2017, Jeff decided to slow down and let his body heal. During that time, the Cook family realized there was a lack of education for people facing Neurological disorders, and in 2021, they made a decision to bring people together to help educate and supply resources that would enable people to better help themselves and each other. They also wanted to concentrate on educating and comforting caregivers as they give so much of themselves to helping their loved ones. Because of this, they created the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation.

Stacey Clark, Executive Director of The Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation, knows that Jeff and Lisa personally faced obstacles of finding available and trained caregivers.  They both felt it was very important for their foundation to help people pursuing a career in the health field, especially nursing and CNA. “It is our honor to be able to provide funding for scholarships for caring individuals wanting to become caregivers,” stated Clark. “It takes special people with big hearts to fill these positions, and we are grateful and excited to partner with Northeast.”

The Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation holds special events throughout the year that help provide funding for scholarships. The next event is November 9 at Cook Castle hosting acclaimed actor and singer, John Schneider.  For more information about this event, please call 256.845.2286.

All scholarship applications at NACC will be available on November 1, 2023.  Students may apply by visiting nacc.edu. For more information about the CNA program, contact Julie George at georgej@nacc.edu.

“Funding a scholarship in memory of a loved one is a great way to honor them and will help so many of our students at Northeast,” said NACC Development Director Heather Rice.