National AHEC Organization receives grant to expand health career training

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept. 22, 2023

CONTACT: Dwain Harris dwharris@nationalahec.org

National AHEC Organization receives grant to expand health career training

The U.S. Dept. of Labor has awarded the National AHEC Organization a $2 million grant to expand health career exploration programs, postsecondary education/training, and workforce development for youth from rural and underserved communities.

Over the next three years, the funding will allow Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) across seven regions to provide hands-on and experiential learning by integrating virtual reality (VR) simulations into their out-of-school-time pathway programs.

“AHECs are doing critical work to support the next generation of health care workers through their pathway programs,” said Katie Haas, NAO’s director of grants and strategic partnerships. “NAO is proud to have secured this funding which will significantly increase the capacity of AHECs to inspire rural and underserved youth toward the health care careers.”

The project will also enable AHECs to advance partnerships to construct a more robust pathway that will support students toward unsubsidized employment opportunities. 

The work will take place in regions of the country served by the following AHECs:

• Hawaii/Pacific Basin AHEC
• High Sierra AHEC
• North Central Wisconsin AHEC in partnership with Northeastern Wisconsin AHEC
• Northeast Kentucky AHEC
• South Central Montana in partnership with North Central Montana AHEC
• Southern Vermont AHEC
• West Central Alabama AHEC

NAO was one of seven organizations nationwide to receive part of the $14 million in U.S. Department of Labor funding as part of the Workforce Pathways for Youth program. Read more HERE.

Three hundred AHECs in 44 states and six U.S. territories are engaged in strengthening the healthcare workforce, particularly in underserved areas. Visit nationalahec.org for more information AHECs and the National AHEC Organization.