As part of a statewide initiative named MoHealthWINS, Jefferson College will receive $1,083,920 as part of a $20 million federal grant designed to educate 4,600 more Missourians for health care jobs and careers. The grant specifically targets unemployed adult learners who are seeking new career opportunities.

Competitive funds were made available under the U.S. Department of Labor's Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program. 

Governor Jay Nixon brought Missouri's community colleges together to submit a joint, comprehensive application that sought ways to develop collaborative programs to capitalize on the unique resources of each institution, avoid duplication, and save money. Colleges will share equipment and faculty, emphasize online and distance learning, and take other steps to expand access, improve efficiency and reduce redundancy.

"From the moment I became Governor, we have worked closely with Missouri's outstanding community colleges to train more Missourians for the jobs and careers of tomorrow and to get folks back to work," said Nixon. "Missouri's health care industry is growing quickly, and hospitals, clinics and other employers need more nurses, lab techs and other workers with the right education and skills today. By expanding educational opportunities for Missourians in these fields, we'll open the door for employment for more folks and keep our economy growing. This is a strategic investment in the growth of our economy and the future of our state."

Individual colleges will use the grant funds to develop or expand training programs in the health services and health sciences industry, which is a targeted industry under the Missouri Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth. 

Jefferson College and St. Charles Community College will jointly develop a radiological technician program that is anticipated to begin in 2013. Through employer donations, Jefferson will equip a lab for use by both colleges. Each institution will offer general education at their home campuses, while online lecture courses will be available to students and both sites. Simulation software and online and local clinical experiences will remove enrollment barriers of time and place.

Jefferson College will also accelerate the process of bringing students skills up to college-level by using a WorkKeys-based assessment model.

Additionally, to meet the needs of healthcare providers in connection with Jefferson's new Health Information Technology (HIT) curriculum, the institution will expand its Computer Information Systems (CIS) program by modularizing instruction, adding additional certifications such as CISCO and A+ Comptia, and working toward a transfer articulation agreement with the University of Missouri-Columbia regarding an Associate of Applied Science degree in CIS.

"Not everyone understands the connection between computers and health care," explained Dean of Career and Technical Education Elizabeth Check. "Health Information Technology (HIT) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) are part of the support system that health care requires. They manage information for the patients and insurance companies."