Posted on the CAPT website
www.psychtechs.net
January 22, 2010

Nearly $1 million granted to Tulare County job programs

On Wednesday, the Schwarzenegger administration announced that Tulare County will receive nearly $1 million in federal stimulus grants to help low-income, unemployed and under-skilled adults join the payroll of various medical professions.

The money from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being distributed to 13 agencies in California that will receive a combined $10.7 million to prepare more than 2,100 people for various certificated and licensure programs.

In Tulare County, the local Workforce Investment Board (TCWIB) and its educational partners will use the $999,931 to provide free tuition and support services for approximately 500 local people who meet criteria such as being recently laid off.

“This was a very competitive grant, and our staff as well as our partners worked hard to build a complete program in a very short time,” said Adam Peck, Executive Director of the TCWIB, in a statement. “The program was designed to give participants flexibility to help pick the best job for them.”

With a jobless rate of more than 16 percent countywide in November — higher than the national average — Natalie Hanes, a spokeswoman for TWCIB, said “in this environment, we figure a lot of people will be eligible.”

TCWIB and its partners Porterville College, and adult schools Porterville, Tulare, Dinuba and Visalia will provide training for state approved certifications for:

- Psychiatric Technicians

- Licensed Vocational Nurses

- Medical Assistants

- Certified Nursing Assistants

- Home Health Aide

- Medical Billing/Coding

- IV Therapy certification for working LVNs

- Phlebotomy certification

“We have a need for medical personnel in this area,” Fifth District Supervisor Mike Ennis said. “We have the need for psychiatric technicians at the Porterville Developmental Center, plus they just put in a new secure treatment center, which they will need to fill with vocational nurses and medical staff. We even have a shortage of nurses right here at Sierra View District Hospital.”

Ennis found out about the grant late Wednesday, and as a third year member of the TCWIB Board of Directors, he said he is “very pleased” about it.

Those interested in benefitting from the newly awarded grant, should contact 788-1400, or pre-register at employmentconnect.org.