HealthForce Partners California on Tuesday, Nov. 18 announced new grant awards from Health Career Connection, supported by The California Endowment, to strengthen healthcare career pathways and expand local workforce development in two regions of the state: the Northern San Joaquin Valley (NSJV) and Solano County.
The Northern San Joaquin Valley award will provide nearly $900,000 in direct funding to support expanded clinical placements and capacity-building for local healthcare professionals in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties. In addition, HealthForce Partners California is partnering with Aliados Health, the lead awardee on a companion proposal to establish a healthcare sector partnership initiative in Solano County. This collaborative effort will receive initial planning funds of $100,000 (with $72,672 allocated to HealthForce Partners) to convene partners and lay the groundwork for long-term implementation.
These new grants underscore HealthForce Partners California’s commitment to advancing equity and opportunity in healthcare by bringing together education, workforce, and employer partners to address critical staffing shortages and build long-term career pathways for local residents.
HealthForce Partners California brings together top executives and operational leaders from healthcare, education, and workforce development to craft innovative programs and systems-change strategies that address the staffing priorities of employers while expanding career opportunities for community residents. Originally focused on the Northern San Joaquin Valley, the organization has since broadened its reach to additional regions across Northern and Central California. To learn more, visit https://www.healthforcepartners.net.
“When you align employers, educators, and community leaders around a shared vision, you can build real pipelines into healthcare careers,” noted Paul Lanning, CEO of HealthForce Partners California. “These new grants allow us to expand capacity for clinical placements and other critical supports in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, and to introduce our collaborative model in Solano County. We’re building the foundation for a healthcare workforce that is grown locally, stays local, and reflects the communities it serves. That’s how we create lasting impact.”
The Solano County initiative builds on HealthForce Partners’ sector-based approach in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, with the initial effort focused on convening planning partners and hiring a local director to guide the work. The goal is to design a coordinated healthcare workforce strategy that will ultimately expand training capacity and connect more residents to in-demand careers.
“Health Career Connection is proud to partner with HealthForce Partners California and its regional allies to advance healthcare career opportunities,” said Jeffrey Oxendine, CEO of Health Career Connection. “Together, we are building a statewide framework that invests in students, strengthens healthcare systems, and ensures that communities most impacted by workforce shortages have the talent and resources they need.”
