(2010 - 2021)
Many Americans struggle to find jobs that pay enough for them to support their families and accomplish their dreams. At the same time, many healthcare employers struggle to find qualified staff with the training and technical expertise required to provide the high quality care their patients need.
The Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG), administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, was created by Congress in 2010 to address these challenges. HPOG grantees provided education and training to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals for healthcare occupations that paid well and were in high demand. The program was responsive to community workforce needs and improved job prospects for hard-working adults, matching careers in a growing field with people who were eager to fill them. HPOG participants obtained higher education, training, and support services needed to secure positions that had opportunity for advancement and sustainability, ultimately leading these individuals on a pathway to economic well-being.
In 2010, ACF awarded the first round of HPOG grants to 32 organizations across 23 states for a five-year period. The second round of HPOG grants, HPOG 2.0, began in 2015, when ACF awarded new HPOG grants to 32 organizations across 21 states. HPOG 2.0 grantees were: ten higher education institutions, five tribal organizations, seven workforce system agencies, four state government agencies, and six community-based organizations.
HPOG participants enrolled in a variety of training and education programs that resulted in an employer or industry recognized certificate or degree. The most common training programs included those for nurse aides, home health aides, licensed and vocational nurses, registered nurses, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, and phlebotomists. Many programs were designed as career pathways — connecting progressive levels of education and training with employment opportunities.
For more information on the HPOG 2.0 FOAs, please visit our resource library.
HPOG 2.0 completed a six-year grant cycle and ACF is not considering new, competitive awards at this time. Any new discretionary grant cycle will be announced on Grants.gov.
HPOG at a Glance
What is HPOG? Animation
This animation brings our “What is HPOG?” infographic to life and provides at-a-glance details about our program.
The Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) program released an at-a-glance infographic, which highlights and explains the program’s grants, grantees, participants, and career pathways.
HPOG Inbox
Email: hpog@acf.hhs.gov
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