LARSON ANNOUNCES GRANT FOR LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:June 27, 2007

LARSON ANNOUNCES GRANT FOR LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Grant will provide a critical investment in training to address impending nursing shortage

Washington, DC- Today Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) announced a $506,836 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that was awarded to the Capital Workforce Partners for their Certified Nursing Assistants Advancement Initiative. They were one of six successful applicants to receive the grant out of a pool of 77 applicants.

?I am thrilled that the Capital Workforce Partners received this grant award,? said Congressman Larson. ?Their work is of the utmost importance as our community faces a critical nursing shortage. Through their work, it is my hope that they will be able to provide an educational pathway for many who hope to dedicate their lives to nursing.?

The program is designed to address the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) workforce challenges of skill development, retention, and advancement using proven training models. Currently, the Connecticut Department of Labor projects a 55 percent shortage of registered nurses, statewide by 2020. Yet, many Certified Nursing Assistants lack certain basic skills or face other barriers to advancement. The program coordinated through Capital Workforce Partners seeks to address this workforce shortage by creating training and educational opportunities for the Certified Nursing Assistants, helping them overcome skills shortfalls, and advance as registered nurses (RNs) and other allied health career professions.

Through the grant, the Capital Workforce Partners will collaborate with the state government, local community colleges and high schools, and local not for profits to promote career development in the nursing and allied healthcare field.

Congressman Larson?s office has an online Federal Grants assistance page to assist organizations and local communities search and apply for federal grants. For more information, please visit https://www.house.gov/larson/grants.htm.

###