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This Year 5 Annual Report describes results for participants in the second round of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) Program from the beginning of the Program through the end of Year 5 (September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2020). HPOG grants are awarded to organizations that provide education and training to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income adults for occupations in the healthcare field that pay well and are expected to either experience labor shortages or be in high demand. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a first round of five-year HPOG grants (“HPOG 1.0”) in 2010.

This report describes the first year of the second round of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants Program (“HPOG 2.0”). HPOG 2.0 provides education and training to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals for healthcare occupations that pay well and are in high demand. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded this second round of five-year grants in 2015. The first round of five-year grants was awarded in 2010. HPOG 2.0 grants were made to 32 grantees across 21 states, including five tribal organizations. In the first year of the HPOG 2.0 Program, the grantees enrolled over 5,000 participants.

The Year 2 Annual Report describes results for participants in the second round of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants Program (HPOG 2.0) from the beginning of the Program through the end of Year 2 (September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2017). HPOG 2.0 grants are awarded to organizations to provide education and training to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals for healthcare occupations that pay well and are in high demand. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded this second round of five-year grants in 2015. Grants funds are disbursed annually to 32 grantees in 21 states, including five tribal organizations. Through the end of Year 2 of HPOG 2.0, grantees enrolled more than 14,700 participants.

The Year 3 Annual Report describes results for participants in the second round of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants Program (HPOG 2.0) from the beginning of the Program through the end of Year 3 (September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2018). HPOG 2.0 grants are awarded to organizations to provide education and training to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals for healthcare occupations that pay well and are in high demand. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded this second round of five-year grants in 2015. Grants funds are disbursed annually to 32 grantees in 21 states, including five tribal organizations. Through the end of Year 3 of HPOG 2.0, grantees enrolled more than 23,215 participants.

This Year 4 Annual Report describes results for participants in the second round of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) Program from the beginning of the Program through the end of Year 4 (September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2019). HPOG grants are awarded to organizations that provide education and training to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals for occupations in the healthcare field that pay well and are expected to either experience labor shortages or be in high demand. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a first round of five-year HPOG grants (“HPOG 1.0”) in 2010.

Rapid City, SD

HPOG helped Salome find successful career despite her major health challenges

Salome grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwest South Dakota. For many years she took care of her parents, both of whom were on dialysis. She helped administer their medication and made sure they were comfortable and well-looked after. Later in life, Salome herself required dialysis over a period of ten years. While receiving treatment, Salome watched the nurses at work. She admired the confident, respectful, and compassionate way they interacted with patients under their care. This experience stuck with her and influenced her decision to enter the healthcare field.

In 2015, Salome began her education journey by enrolling in the GED program at the Career Learning Center in Rapid City, SD. At times, she was discouraged, unsure if she had what it took to become successful. An instructor noticed her frustrations and introduced her to the Prosperity Initiative. It is a program that strives to move families and individuals, like Salome, in Rapid City from poverty to prosperity. Salome expressed her goal to make something more of herself as well as her desire to enter the healthcare field. They referred her to the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board’s HPOG program, Pathways to Healthcare Professions (PHP) . Soon after Salome’s acceptance into PHP, she started a Certified Nursing Assistant program.

Completing her education proved difficult. Salome had to balance 40 hours of school with dialysis treatments three times a week. Salome was determined to complete her training though and worked out an alternative schedule that allowed her to fulfill her academic requirements. The instructor let her leave early on the days she had dialysis, and worked with her after class on alternate days so she would not fall behind. PHP staff also helped her get to her classes and treatments.

In class, Salome was shy but engaged with the material. She demonstrated an excellent knowledge and understanding of patient care. Her instructors noted her kindness and dedication to caring for others. During clinical rotations, she went the extra mile for patients under her care, such as answering call lights when she was not required to. Salome completed her CNA training in April 2019 and received her GED soon after.

In January 2020, Salome began a Licensed Practical Nurse program at Western Dakota Tech and is on track to become a nurse. Under normal circumstances, Salome’s health and financial challenges might have prevented her from achieving her goals, but her determination, integrity and perseverance kept her focused. The support she received from the PHP HPOG staff further allowed her to excel and helped make her dream a reality.

This success story was self-identified by the grantee and information contained in this document was provided by the grantee.

HPOG Success Story: Salome at Great Plains Tribal Charimen's Health Board (PDF) (PDF)

The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board (GPTCHB) implements the Great Plains Pathways to Healthcare Professions (PHP) program in a cross-section of urban sites, rural areas, and reservations across South Dakota and Nebraska. PHP provides support services for recipients to obtain basic skills education as well as credentials recognized by the local healthcare industry.

In early 2019, the Cankdeska Cikana Community College Next Steps program partnered with the Spirit Lake Employment and Training Center (ETC) to create a dual training program. The dual program provides youth interested in healthcare the opportunity for additional skill development and employment potential while enhancing the reservation’s quality of healthcare services for its elder population. The collaboration offers participants of Next Steps’ existing certified nursing assistant (CNA) training and Spirit Lake’s individual qualified service provider (QSP) program to complete either or both certifications at the same time.

Tribal college’s HPOG program success guides statewide diversity initiatives in North Dakota.

With funding from a Health Professions Opportunity Grant (HPOG), Cankdeska Cikana Community College’s Next Steps II Program is now in its eighth year of providing training for healthcare occupations, advancing the diversity of the nursing workforce in North Dakota, and addressing critical healthcare workforce needs throughout the state.

For the past decade, the Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa Nation has taken a proactive approach to improving the health and welfare of its citizens through strategic initiatives that teach people to make healthier choices. The strategy’s implementation culminated in the construction of the Byron Dorgan Youth Wellness Center, a tribal health and fitness facility, staffed by a trained workforce supplied by Turtle Mountain Community College ’s HPOG Health & Fitness Training Program.