Contact: April.Ezzell@1199.org, 1199SEIU Communications (716)449-1620

Interview Opportunity

$500,000 city grant & $300,000 county contract will provide healthcare career pathway for low-income residents has reached enrollment capacity, leaving more than 200 potential participants waitlisted.

WHO: 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, 1199SEIU Training & Employment Funds, Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES, County of Monroe Industrial Agency (COMIDA), Rochester Employment Opportunity Center (REOC), 1199SEIU Healthcare Education Project, Strong Memorial Hospital/University at Rochester Medical Center, New York State Assemblymember Demond Meeks, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, and City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, Program Participants

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: Monday, April 10, 2023

WHERE: 1199SEIU, 259 Monroe Ave, Suite 220, Rochester, NY 14607
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

WHY? Nearly $1 million dollars in city and county funding will help to provide a healthcare career pathway for low-income and underserved city and county residents impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. With the existing healthcare worker shortage in New York state, the programs will provide training and education for city and county residents or existing healthcare workers to become Certified Nurse Assistants, Patient Care Technicians, Pharmacy Technicians, Phlebotomists, or Sterile Processing Technicians.

“I have been working in a healthcare setting for 11 years and I’m always looking to improve my skills,” said Jarhonnda Nettles, Secretary at Strong Memorial Hospital. “I’m excited to be part of the first phlebotomy class to learn how to draw blood,” said Nettles.

1199SEIU Training & Employment Funds was awarded $300,000 in funding from The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) to provide training and education for a minimum of 30 county residents interested in pursuing entry level healthcare jobs. In partnership with community-based organizations, 1199SEIU Training & Employment Funds will be able to provide wrap around services to low-income Monroe county residents and existing healthcare workers interested in pursuing entry level healthcare jobs or upgrading their existing jobs.

The new city grant funding of $500,000 will provide training and support to an additional 35 to 40 participants. Program funding is key to remove barriers for low-income city residents pursing new career paths in healthcare. In addition to training and education, the new grant will also provide access to childcare, career development counseling, and a monthly stipend to participants.

The two-year city grant is geared to provide a healthcare career pathways for up to 40 participants. With healthcare jobs in high demand, the new program currently has a wait list of in excess of 200 residents.

Program partners and providers are hopeful that funding can be extended to provide training and education for waitlisted residents and others eager to fill healthcare vacancies at facilities within the city of Rochester and Monroe county.

Thirteen of twenty city residents who completed the program have secured good paying union jobs at local nursing homes. The newly employed city residents have access to continued training and education, health care benefits, and more.

On background:

1199SEIU Training & Employment Funds has been provided with a $300,000 contract by the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency to provide training and employment services for up to 35 participants in underrepresented areas of the county.

The new city of Rochester grant funding provides $250,000 per year from November 2022 to November 2024, totaling $500,000.

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.

The 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds (TEF) provide education, training and employment services for more than 275,000 healthcare workers across the care-continuum. TEF programs enable career advancement for underserved workers while filling labor force shortages for healthcare employers.
Training and Education | 1199SEIU Funds (1199seiubenefits.org)