4-17-14 Feature Story:
Lynn, MA -- Governor Deval Patrick's recent announcement at Lynn Community Health Center of $2 million in grants to help train health care providers to improve patient service and reduce costs includes more than $150,000 for 6 community health centers: Community Healthlink, Community Health Programs, Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, HealthFirst Family Care Center, Lowell Community Health Center, and Lynn Community Health Center.
The funding - made available through the state's Chapter 224 cost containment legislation -- will help to assess what skills and training are necessary for ensuring that today's health care workers can meet the workforce needs of future health care service delivery models being developed under state health reform initiatives.
"In Massachusetts we believe that health is a public good and every resident deserves access to quality, affordable care," said Governor Patrick. "These grants will help providers prepare workers for the jobs of the 21st century economy, in turn improving the quality of care and lowering costs."
"The health care industry is changing rapidly," said Labor and Workforce Secretary Rachel Kaprielian. "These grants will enable many health care providers and their partners across the Commonwealth to keep pace with these changes. This first round of grants will help these businesses assess their workforce and determine what skills and training they will need to change operations and deliver more efficient health care."
The Health Care Workforce Transformation grants are being administered by the Commonwealth Corporation under the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. According to the Corporation, the next funding round will support the implementation of training and meeting workforce challenges. Health care providers must send in a letter of intent by June 27, 2014 to apply for up to $250,000 in grants. Applications will be due July 31, 2014.
