LLU Receives Federal Grant to Train Entry-level Health Care Workers

Three hundred local students over the next three years who are working toward their certificates in entry-level health care professions will receive tuition benefits and career coaching, thanks to a “Skills, Training and Health Workforce of Paraprofessionals Program” grant for $600,000 to Loma Linda University. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and part of the Health Careers Opportunities Program, the new grant will enable students from San Bernardino and surrounding communities to train for careers in health care professions. The $600,000 HRSA grant will bring $200,000 annually from September 2014 through August 2017. During the first year, students working on certificates as licensed vocational nurses, certified nurse assistants, and medical assistants will receive scholarships, as well as books, supplies, and career coaching. The grant will be implemented through Loma Linda University (LLU) Gateway College, which will be headquartered in downtown San Bernardino. Sharing the building will be the Social Action Community Health System (SACHS) clinic, along with other community outreach programs and services. The SACHS clinic will provide training opportunities for students in this program. Students will receive their certificate training through the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) at its adult education campus. “Loma Linda University is pleased to partner with SBCUSD on this important initiative for our young people,” said Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health. “As our San Bernardino campus is built, we expect this type of collaboration to increase even more. These scholarships will benefit not only those receiving them directly, but their families, communities, and future employers.” Andrea Mitchel, grant writer for SACHS, researched and wrote the grant application. Assisting her in the process were Nancy Young, MS, president and CEO, SACHS; Karen Bautista, principal, SBCUSD adult education program, and her team; and Cindy Dickson, pre-award grant analyst, and Jessica Portillo, financial analyst, Loma Linda University research affairs.