Santa Cruz, CA — Dientes Community Dental Care has been recognized as the 2025 Employer Champion by the Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board. The annual Workforce Achievement Award honors local employers that open doors to meaningful employment for individuals who have faced adversity, by offering innovative and inclusive career pathways.
“Selecting Dientes as our 2025 Employer Champion was especially meaningful for our Workforce Development Board,” said Andy Stone, Director of the Board, in a statement. “Dientes has proactively partnered with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and Workforce Santa Cruz County to create the Dental Assisting Apprenticeship Program. This addresses the rising need for trained dental assistants and provides local job seekers with the chance to earn while they learn.”
The Dental Assisting Apprenticeship Program, supported by Workforce Santa Cruz County and partially funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, offers paid on-the-job training. Participants are compensated as they build valuable skills, giving them financial stability while they train.
Workforce Santa Cruz County emphasized that the program helps Dientes develop talent internally. By training new employees from the ground up, the organization reduces turnover and boosts retention of skilled staff.
The apprenticeship also strengthens the quality of care provided to Dientes patients. Trainees can address learning gaps early in their placement, allowing them to reach job-readiness more effectively before becoming full-time employees.
Bay Federal Credit Union Awards 2025 Scholarships
Bay Federal Credit Union has named James Parker, Laura Hodges, and Spike Sorensen as recipients of its 2025 Education Scholarships. Each will receive $1,500 to support their academic goals.
“Every year, our scholarship recipients inspire us with their drive and commitment to building a brighter future,” said Bay Federal President and CEO Carrie Birkhofer. “We’re honored to support these incredible individuals as they take the next step in their academic and professional goals.”
Applicants for this year’s scholarships were asked to reflect on how technology influences financial literacy and money management for their generation. They also proposed ways to improve educational tools to make them more accessible and useful for young adults and communities.