Nassau County Executive Laura Curran recently announced an award of $202,000 of HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for Nassau Community College’s Center for Workforce Development. The funding aims to expand the college’s employment training programs in the growing health care industry, the largest employer on Long Island, through scholarships and the continuation of the College’s Community Health Worker training program.
“Over the past few months we have seen how fortunate we are to have access to quality health care performed by dedicated, hardworking medical professionals. We need to continue to attract people to this growing industry and offer opportunities to all who are passionate about the field. To help achieve this, we are awarding Community Development Block Grant Funding to Nassau Community College as an effort to open the doors of this industry to more students. Through scholarships and workforce training programs, we are expanding access to this economically resilient industry and offering a stable career pathway to those who may not have previously had access to enroll,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.
“At Nassau Community College we are committed to equitably supporting and enhancing student access, completion, and post-completion success and are thankful for the County’s support in this mission. The funds from the Community Block Grant will allow us to enhance access for Nassau County residents, to job training in high-demand fields. Fields that both meet the needs of our communities and also lead to jobs on established career pathways and economic mobility,” said Nassau Community College President Dr. Jermaine F. Williams.
About half of the grant, $100,000, will subsidize scholarships for up to 70 students in job training for essential and front-line positions. Intended to be a positive step towards economic independence, this training will provide students with a career pathway, either through enhancing credentials to advance in an existing career or earning a degree in a new sector. Programs prepare students to earn certifications to enter the following fields: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assisting, Phlebotomy Technician and Certified Nursing Assistant.
The remaining funds, $102,000, will go towards the Nassau Community College Community Health Worker training program, restarting the program to accept a new group of 20 candidates. This program is at no-cost to the students and will equip them to pursue in a career in the sector of Community Health Worker. Community Health Workers support the improvement of health inequities, particularly in low-income communities, many of which were the hardest hit by COVID-19, and often support those with chronic health issues and in need of advocates to connect with other ancillary social services.
In order to qualify for either program, the applicant must have a have a high school diploma or equivalent and their household income must not exceed 80% of Area Median Income. The Nassau County Department of Social Services will be assisting Nassau Community College with reviewing applications to determine eligibility.
For more information please visit www.ncc.edu.
