Gov. Ned Lamont on Wednesday announced the launch of CT Health Horizons, a three-year higher education program designed to address statewide shortages in nursing and behavioral health providers.
The program seeks to address the state’s workforce shortage by providing tuition assistance to low-income and minority students; recruitment and retention of faculty; and programs to promote partnerships between employers and institutes of higher education.
“We have a significant nursing shortage in Connecticut, and yet our colleges and universities do not currently have capacity to increase the number of qualified nursing students they serve,” Lamont said. “By making this investment, we are taking a critical step toward expanding the number of nursing seats at our public and private institutions of higher education.”
The $35 million initiative was approved as part of the state budget bill and is funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act money.
“This significant investment in training nurses and behavioral health providers is exactly the kind of program Congress had in mind when we passed the American Rescue Plan Act…” members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation said in a joint statement. “The need for mental health services skyrocketed during the pandemic and an already alarming shortage of nurses is now at an all-time high, leaving our health care systems understaffed at a critical time.”
The initiative is estimated to provide tuition support to 1,200 students entering nursing and social work programs, with a focus on associate degree nursing programs, accelerated bachelor in nursing programs and master of social work programs. It’s expected to serve more than 1,000 new students.
The Office of Workforce Strategy and Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will oversee the program.
