New Effort Aims To Train More Allied Health Workers in California

In Fresno Monday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) announced a three-year, $32 million public-private initiative aimed at training more allied health workers, the Fresno Bee reports (Ellis, Fresno Bee, 4/13).

Allied health workers include lab technicians, dental hygienists and physical therapists (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 4/13).

The state will direct $16 million in federal funds -- $8 million in stimulus funds and $8 million from the Workforce Investment Act -- to the initiative.

Schools, hospitals and other private partners will provide $16 million in matching funds or in-kind donations (Office of the Governor release, 4/13).

The initiative will begin in the fall when 25 community colleges enroll 700 additional allied health students in their classes (Hines, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 4/13) (News low in story).

The project will be led by:

The California Labor and Workforce Development Agency;
California Community Colleges;
The UC and California State University systems; and
The California Hospital Association and its member hospitals (Sacramento Business Journal, 4/13).

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