Heartland Forward wins big

CFA-supported Heartland Forward received $1,499,931 from the Department of Labor’s Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities grant. The grant supports building career pathways from secondary schools to nursing careers in the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Borders regions.

Heartland Forward joins with the Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Hospital Association, five major employers, and three educational institutions. It will build a clear pathway for secondary students into nursing programs and career apprenticeships. Heartland Forward seeks to support underserved veterans as well as low-income, first-generation, and rural students participating in the program.

Heartland Forward’s project aims to expose 1,050 students to a potential career in nursing. It plans to guide 179 students through the program application process. It will also provide ongoing support such as childcare and transportation as students complete the program. The long-term goal of this project is to see 10% of the students in nursing careers. Heartland Forward will be working in partnership with CFA to implement this work.

“We have heard time and again from legislators, community leaders and patients that the nursing shortage is a major concern with regard to health care,” said Maria Rodriguez-Alcala, Program Director for Health and Wellness at Heartland Forward. “We thank the US Department of Labor and CFA for supporting our vision of developing a comprehensive pathway to nursing careers, particularly in rural communities where this is ever-more essential. We can’t wait to work with our community partners in getting started!”

Read the official press release here.