THE VALUED VOICE

Coming Soon: the second round of matching grant funding to increase the number of clinical training sites in rural hospitals and clinics for in-demand professionals. This grant program, spear-headed by WHA, is modeled after the successful WHA-led matching-grant GME initiative that has spurred a nearly $26 million investment by state and private sector partners to create more physician residency capacity, especially in rural Wisconsin.     

With high vacancy rates in allied health professions like nursing assistant and surgical tech, and triple-digit employment growth for advanced practice clinicians, hospitals, health systems and educators can use this grant funding to tailor workforce growth to the needs of the communities they serve. Reach out to partners and be ready to apply when the Wisconsin Department of Health Services releases Requests for Application. Applications for funding will be due mid-April.

The Advanced Practice Clinician (APC) Grant:

• Provides up to $50,000 per year per clinic or hospital;
• Targets clinical training for physician assistants, nurse practitioners and other advanced practice clinicians; and,
• Covers expenses such as books and materials, tuition and fees, stipends for living expenses, preceptor costs.

The Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Education & Training Grant:

• Provides up to $125,000 per year per partnership;
• Targets “high need, high demand” allied health professions;
• Requires partnerships with educational entities and health systems; and,
• Covers expenses such as curriculum and faculty development, tuition, and clinical site or simulation expenses. 

Gather your partners! Talk about what you could do with new funding for training. Contact Ann Zenk, WHA Vice President Workforce and Clinical Practice, with questions.