Good News

SCCC Awarded $11 Million Grant to Train Health Care Professionals

Posted on: Friday, October 22, 2010

Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) has received the largest single grant in the College’s history, $11.2 million, to train professionals for new jobs in the fast growing health care field, College and County officials announced.

SCCC was one of just four institutions in New York State and one of 32 in the nation to receive the job training funds. SCCC received the largest grant award in New York State and the 11th largest grant in the nation. The grant award is part of a $320 million initiative under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Affordable Care Act (ACA) to strengthen the health care workforce in the United States.

“This is a great achievement for SCCC,” said Dr. Quintin Bullock, SCCC President. “Not only will we be able to provide job training in health care to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and low-income students, but through this funding the College is embracing a new program to meet an emerging workforce need in the health care industry, as well as to stimulate economic development in the Capital Region.”

College officials expect to begin offering programs in January 2011. The five-year program is aimed at serving 600 participants annually. The program is designed to help train TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients and low-income individuals for a variety of health care professions including: home care aides, certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, emergency medical technicians, licensed vocational nurses, registered nurses, dental assistants, and health information technicians. Through the grant, vital support services will be provided including case management, employment assistance, transportation, dependent care, and temporary housing.   

Deb Schimpf, Executive Director of Schenectady Community Action Program, a community partner in the program, said, “SCAP is proud to be part of this innovative, tri-county initiative that offers a life-changing opportunity for those earning minimum wage or living in poverty. This pathway to a career in the health care field will allow many individuals and families to put poverty behind them and start earning a living, middle wage. We are talking about real hope for people that will bring about real change.”

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