South Central Service Cooperative Awarded "Supporting New Americans in the Long-Term Care Workforce" Grant

The South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC) has received a $796,185 grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to support immigrants and refugees entering long-term care (LTC) careers. Through a partnership with the Minnesota Council of Churches, Mankato Adult Basic Education, South Central Workforce Council, and the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration, the program will equip new Americans with essential skills for roles like Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Personal Care Aides, and Dietary Aides.

This initiative offers a multilingual, culturally responsive curriculum, utilizing advanced technology such as Virtual Reality (VR) and AI simulations developed in collaboration with MetaMedicsVR to provide immersive training experiences.

Key Program Features Include:

• Multilingual Training: Courses available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
• VR and AI Simulations: Immersive, real-world LTC scenarios.
• Virtual Career Fairs: Participants can engage with healthcare professionals to explore career opportunities.
• Essential Support Services: Including assistance with childcare, housing, transportation, and public assistance applications.

The program aims to train over 100 participants in its first year, helping them secure long-term roles with competitive wages and opportunities for advancement in the LTC field.

“This grant is a unique opportunity for new Americans to confidently enter the healthcare workforce,” said Glenn Morris, Executive Director of SCSC. “By offering targeted training, job placement, and essential support services, we’re creating a sustainable workforce pipeline for the long-term care sector.”

For more information contact Amanda Bell, Manager - Career Academies Health Careers