The Wisconsin Department of Workforce announced a new grant program Monday to fund projects to address healthcare workforce challenges in rural Wisconsin.
The Workforce Innovation Grant: Healthcare Employment, Access, and Rural Transformation Program will award up to $150 million in grants over four years to nonprofit and government organizations to implement plans to address pressing healthcare workforce challenges across the state.
“Awards of $500,000 to $10 million are available through the program for nonprofit and government organizations to work with regional workforce partners on healthcare workforce solutions for rural and semi-rural regions across the state,” a DWD statement said.
In the first year, $4.9 million will be available.
“Access to timely, quality care is an essential building block to a high quality of life in Wisconsin. But we know that it’s challenging to build and keep a healthcare workforce in our state’s rural areas,” said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek in a statement.
“These grants will follow Gov. Tony Evers’ proven strategies to expand the workforce and bring down barriers to employment, which allow communities to grow local, innovative solutions to these challenges that support career pathways and training opportunities for rural healthcare providers.”
