A new health care grant from the U.S. Department of Labor will help train an additional 300 nurses, medical technicians, and medical assistants throughout the State Center Community College District. The grant was awarded to SCCCD after a highly competitive process with nearly 280 proposals submitted by community colleges across the country.

The three-year, $3 million grant will allow additional health care programs at all SCCCD campuses, as well as the West Hills Community College District. The program, called “Extending Central Valley Health Care,” is intended to address the Valley’s medically underserved population, according to Shelly Conner, director of Grants and External Funding and project director.

“The grant will help address critical shortages of health care professionals in our region.” – Shelly Conner, Director of Grants and External Funding

“The San Joaquin Valley is consistently included in the Department of Health and Human Services’ list of medically underserved areas,” Conner said. “The grant will help address critical shortages of health care professionals in our region, while at the same time offer program graduates a chance to train for careers with the opportunity for advancement in the health care profession.”

The additional programs will include instruction for registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), nursing assistants, medical assistants, and other medical technicians.

The funding comes at a time when the already overextended health care system in the Valley is expected to become even more strained. The troubled economy makes external funding more important than ever.

“Without funding from grant sources such as this one,” Conner said, “the District may be forced to reduce student access to important instructional programs.”

By partnering with educational institutions and workforce investment boards, the District continues to seek and obtain grant funding to support allied health programs. Ultimately, this improves access to health care for San Joaquin Valley residents.

“SCCCD is proud to assume a leadership role in such collaborative efforts for the betterment of our community,” Conner said.

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