Henry Hargrave/socialmedia@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Governor Jared Polis announced the Care Forward Colorado Program, which will provide free access to community colleges and technical programs to aspiring health professionals statewide on August 24.

During the press conference, the police were joined by Lieutenant Diane Primavera, Colorado Community College System (CCCS) administrators, program benefit students, and Arapahoe Community College (ACC) community members.

The initiative stems from bipartisanship legislation Co-sponsored by state senators Sonya Jacques-Lewis and Bob Rankin, Rep. Kyle Malika signed into law in May in the form of Senate Bill 226. This bill was implemented to direct more funding toward developing health care education to guide Coloradans. Towards a high-demand, high-paying healthcare career.

“[These jobs] The salaries are good and students often have the opportunity to enter management positions in these different areas,” said Polis at a special event held at the ACC. “As our population ages, we will only increase the need for healthcare. We will make sure we have caregivers and people properly trained to care for everyone. I would like to.”

Angie Passione, Ph.D., executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, believes the program is well positioned to meet the demands of these careers.

“The last time I checked, there were about 27,000 certified nursing assistant (CNA) vacancies in the state,” said Paccione, who was appointed to her position by the police. “Therefore, we encourage our students to start with these entry-level positions and leverage them towards their qualifications. [chosen] Health care professionals for free. ”

CCCS President Joe Garcia said such a program is “unprecedented” in Colorado and covers not just tuition, but all student expenses, including tuition and course materials.

“It offers individuals a path to a living wage career with dignity,” Garcia said. “That’s what drives Colorado forward.”

The Care Forward Colorado Program allows students to pursue careers as CNAs, emergency room technicians, phlebotomy technicians, medical assistants, and dental assistants.

Students enrolled in these and related programs at CCCS-affiliated community colleges, including ACC, Denver Community College, and Front Range Community College, will have their fees reimbursed through 2024. Careers and those who aim to completely change jobs to the healthcare industry are also eligible.

George Villalobos, an ACC student who holds an emergency medical technician license, said he would be “terrified” of how he would pay for his education without the program.

“I, like many of my peers, want to give back to the community as a healthcare worker,” said Villalobos. Quality training like the one I have at his ACC is available to everyone. ”

CareForward Colorado is one of 100 ways the Police administration said it aims to save Colorado money, which it introduced in its June 2022 state address.