PCC Receives $18.5 Million Grant to Strengthen Healthcare Workforce

September 30, 2010

Tucson, AZ – Pima Community College (PCC) will receive $18.5 million in federal grant funds from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Professions Opportunity Grants over the next five years to strengthen Pima County’s healthcare workforce.

Arizona’s healthcare industry is experiencing a severe shortage of professionals in health-related careers.  The grant will help PCC meet this demand by providing low-income residents of Pima County with a variety of training programs in the healthcare professions, and much needed support to the County by increasing the local healthcare workforce.

“The grant will improve the quality of healthcare in Pima County, and will help dislocated workers, veterans and other county residents on paths to better lives through jobs in a growing profession,” PCC Chancellor Dr. Roy Flores said.

PCC will partner with healthcare employers and community agencies such as Pima County OneStop to assist the recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other low-income individuals to obtain skills needed for employment in the healthcare industry.  

“Pima Community College has been a longtime partner and we look forward to collaborating on this important initiative,” said Hank Atha, Deputy County Administrator for Community Services and Economic Development. “Healthcare issues are a crucial concern for Pima County, and are of tremendous importance to the low-income community.”

For more information on how the Affordable Care Act is investing in the health care workforce, go to www.HealthCare.gov.

CONTACT:
A. Rachelle Howell, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing,
(520) 206-4850