Colleges and universities are addressing health-care workforce shortages by expanding access to care for underserved communities while training students for future roles. Programs include short-term pathways such as an 80-hour community health worker course that connects rural, underserved residents to health care and social services, supports chronic condition management, and delivers preventive care. Hybrid delivery and paid stipends help participants complete training and enter employment. Some programs add language-specific cohorts to better serve local populations. Student-run services also provide rehabilitation and other care options, strengthening community resources while giving students practical experience. These efforts aim to meet regional needs and create sustainable workforce pipelines.
"The program reflects a growing effort among colleges and universities to create short-term health-care workforce pathways tailored to regional needs. Launched in 2024, the hybrid program has expanded across California's northern San Joaquin Valley and includes paid stipends for participants. To date, nearly 200 students across seven cohorts have completed the training, which prepares participants to help community members access health services, manage chronic conditions and receive preventive care."
"The program also includes Spanish-language cohorts, representing 26 percent of participants, to better serve the region's large and growing Latino community. Nearly 200 students have completed Stanislaus State's Community Health Worker training program through seven cohorts."
#health-care-workforce #community-health-workers #rural-health #workforce-pipelines #student-run-services
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