CCBC, Baltimore County and University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center (UM SJMC) have announced the Public Health Pathways Program, an innovative workforce development partnership that aims to connect residents in historically underserved communities with high-demand nursing positions through customized educational programming and community wraparound supports.
The joint initiative will leverage federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding to meet dual imperatives of providing workforce training to economically disadvantaged residents while helping to address a national nursing shortage.
The Public Health Pathways Program pilot will initially provide 30 scholarships that will fully cover the cost of tuition and educational fees for CCBC’s Certified Nursing Assistant program. In order to remove barriers to learning, students selected to participate in the program will also receive a monthly stipend that can be flexibly used to supplement wages, address transportation or housing needs and pay for childcare or other workforce-related barriers.
Upon successful completion of CCBC’s Certified Nursing Assistant program, graduates will be offered guaranteed employment with full benefits at UM SJMC, where they will continue their education in a Practical Nursing program, creating a career ladder to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs). In total, participants will receive a 24-month education program including four months of CNA training, four months of pre-requisites, and 16 months of LPN education.
This $1.175 million workforce development collaboration is funded through a combination of Baltimore County federal ARPA funds and a $500,000 investment from UMMS.
CCBC and UM SJMC will collaborate to develop a work and learning schedule that promotes success, including offering courses on site and identifying opportunities to blend the work and learning experience. Additionally, the organizations will provide mentorship, tutoring and support for all participants to ensure that they graduate as LPNs, thereby moving these participants into rewarding and high-demand careers.
The Public Health Pathways Program application, including eligibility requirements, is expected to be released in early January 2023 with the first cohort of trainees expected to begin coursework in summer 2023.