Health Professions Opportunity Grant (HPOG)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in health care has continued to grow even during the current recession: heath care has added 559,000 jobs since the beginning of the recession in December 2007.
Bergen offers many programs preparing the next generation of health professionals.
$24 Million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration Grant
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families has named Bergen Community College the lead institution and fiscal agent for the 26-member Northern New Jersey Health Professionals Consortium in administering a $24 million grant to support health professions training and certification for low-income individuals.
The NJ State Department of Health projects New Jersey will add 100,400 healthcare jobs through 2016 that will account for nearly 40 percent of New Jersey’s employment growth during that period. This grant is employer-driven and directly addresses occupations in demand throughout the region and the labor shortages being experienced by the consortium’s employer partners.
The Northern New Jersey Health Professionals Consortium includes 10 northern New Jersey community colleges, 10 Workforce Investment Boards, and six major health-related companies, including some of New Jersey largest employers: Meridian Health, Care One of New Jersey, Bayada Nurses Inc., CVS Pharmacies, Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey and Caring People Inc.
At Bergen, part of the grant will fund the addition of new Associate of Applied Science degree programs for dietetic technicians and paramedics. The rest of the school’s share will enhance certification programs for nursing assistants as well as pharmacy technicians, phlebotomy technicians, patient-care technicians and home health aides.
This grant will allow the College to provide expanded skill lab instruction, additional equipment for practice and critical financial support for tuition and child care stipends for Practical Nursing students. Bergen is excited to be a part of this collaborative grant effort, which is designed to improve retention and graduation rates for students.