On September 17, 2024, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) announced nearly $100 million in awards to support and strengthen the health care workforce.

Of that, through the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) – Workforce Expansion Program (WEP), HRSA awarded over $19 million  to increase the nursing workforce in rural (non-metro) and underserved areas to address the critical shortage of nurses, specifically in acute and long-term care settings. Over 4 years, the five grantees, which include Oregon Health and Science University; University of the Pacific; Regents of the University of Michigan; Technical System College of Georgia, and Southern Crescent Technical College, each receive $4,875,000.

Commenting on the HRSA funding, LeadingAge Senior Vice President Policy Linda Couch said in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: “Developing the aging services workforce is more important than ever: America’s population is aging rapidly and demand for services is continuing to grow. Without staff, there is no care. Our nation and its policies must value and support aging services professionals with a range of immediate actions, including education and training.”