Earlier this month, Governor Brian Kemp announced funds will be awarded through the Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Program for a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Pilot Program. The Griffin Region College and Career Academy (GRCCA) was awarded funds for the first pilot program. The program is aimed at ensuring that students negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic have the opportunity to pursue successful careers while receiving a high-quality education. GRCCA students and business partners will benefit from funds to address the critical healthcare workforce needs in Georgia.
Through this funding, 51 current GRCCA students in the CNA/Healthcare Pathway will have the tuition paid for their CNA courses and certification exams, reserving the 30 Dual Enrollment hours paid by Georgia to be used for additional dual enrollment nursing certifications in geriatrics specifically, or pre-nursing core academics that feed into a Registered Nurse (RN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
To implement the CNA-GEER Program, GRCCA will partner with WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital, Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) and Brightmoor Nursing Center, Assisted Living and Hospice. As a part of the program, students will complete apprenticeships with one of these partners ensuring that the programs offered meet the needs of our local business and industry.
SCTC President Dr. Irvin Clark said, “This is very exciting and SCTC is ready to provide the training resources needed to support this very important initiative.”
GRCCA Nursing Instructor and Registered Nurse Carmell Murray stated, “The Governor is investing in the future by giving this new generation of healthcare workers the chance to impact others through careers in nursing. I have always known that with the right investment, these students will definitely make their mark in this region and state.”
GRCCA CEO Katy Castanien stated, “We are so excited and honored to have this opportunity for our students! With the CNA GEER Funding, students who are ready to make an impact as a CNA or RN, now have the opportunity to be highly trained in Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) programs, answering the workforce needs in healthcare and impacting our state in a big way. Thank you to all who had a hand in making this a reality for our students.”