Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1501973
National Center for Rural Health Professions Receives $9.5M HE NATIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford will receive nearly $6.5 million from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) over the next five years to fund its Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network. With nine regional centers, the Illinois AHEC Network strengthens the health workforce and improves health outcomes in rural and underserved communities by promoting health careers to prospective students, enriching learning environments for current students, providing professional development opportunities for workforce members, and partnering with universities and healthcare organizations to address local health issues. Programs funded by the grant include job shadowing, classroom-based presentations and pipeline programs that enable students to train in communities throughout the state where they can experience healthcare delivery in areas of highest need. According to program officials, the network has helped more than 100,000 people access health education and training since 2010. With an additional $3 million in HRSA funding, The National Center for Rural Health Professions is partnering with the Illinois Public Health Association to establish the Illinois Community Health Worker HelpGuideThrive Program. This statewide initiative will recruit and equip community health workers for employment in a broad array of healthcare settings with a focus on providing public health services in rural and underserved communities. Over a three-year period, the HelpGuideThrive Program will work to: • Align community health worker training curricula with the national core curriculum Two federal grants will help fund the center's efforts to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes in rural and underserved communities throughout Illinois T • Enroll a diverse group of at least 240 individuals from rural or medically underserved areas in general community health worker training, extended specialty training or registered apprenticeships • Provide stipends to eligible trainees • Offer regular continuing education opportunities • Provide workforce readiness training, field placements and employment placement services According to Hana Hinkle, PhD, director of the National Center for Rural Health Professions, community health workers are on the front lines of public health as trusted members of the communities they serve. They play a vital role in rural and underserved areas by reaching out to isolated, medically vulnerable or uninsured individuals in culturally appropriate ways to connect them to health education, quality healthcare and social services. Hana Hinkle, PhD 8 | Summer 2023