With Orange County's aging population, nursing and radiologic technology are key employment growth areas, essential to the continuing health of the region's population and economy.
On Thursday, April 4, 2024, the CalOptima Health Board of Directors approved a grant of $2,040,000 through its Provider Workforce Development Initiative to the Coast Community College District to expand the Running Start to Nursing pathway at Golden West College and develop a K-12 pathway to the Radiologic Technology Certificate program at Orange Coast College. The Coast District is matching the grant with $2,710,000 in statewide Strong Workforce grant funds, for a combined $4.75 million.
"CalOptima Health recognizes that our mission to serve members begins with having a strong health care workforce to deliver quality care," said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health. "The challenge of health care worker shortages at organizations across Orange County drove CalOptima Health's landmark community investment in a $50 million Provider Workforce Development Initiative. Our grants to Coast Community College District and other educational institutions will tackle the problem at its roots by funding training and education for tomorrow's caregivers for the Medi-Cal population. Closing workforce gaps and building provider diversity is the foundation of health care equity for our members."
The program will build on strong community partnerships already in place. Golden West College will serve as the organizing partner on the expanded Running Start to Nursing program in partnership with Westminster High School and California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Students will have the opportunity to take nursing-related classes starting in high school through dual enrollment. After completing high school, students will have the ability to concurrently enroll at Golden West College and CSUSB, completing their community college associate degree before completing a university Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Orange Coast College will expand its existing Radiologic Technology and Diagnostic Imaging pathways through a partnership with both Santa Ana Unified and Newport Mesa Unified School Districts using the dual enrollment model. This collaboration, in addition to support from CalOptima Health, ensures that students have additional resources for learning, practice, and timely completion of a degree or certificate. This will help students start their careers sooner at a significantly reduced cost as community colleges continue to be the most affordable higher education option with most students qualifying for College Promise fee waivers and other forms of non-loan financial aid.
"The health programs at Golden West College and Orange Coast College are exemplars of the persistent innovation we strive for in the Coast District," said Dr. Whitney Yamamura, Chancellor. "The colleges are in the community, actively identifying our most pressing health workforce needs, and then bringing together the resources of multiple partner agencies to find solutions."
A major selling point of health programs at Golden West College and Orange Coast College are the strong starting salaries and career earnings in those fields. Registered nurses have a median salary of more than $60/hour, or better than twice the Orange County average for all professions. Radiologic Technologists earn a median of more than $42/hour, beating the Orange County average by nearly 50 percent.
"Our job is to provide educational opportunities and support for our students that lead to high-paying, high-quality careers that respond to the needs of the community," said Dr. Andreea Serban, Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Technology. "I would like to thank CalOptima Health for its continued partnership and for providing this significant funding and support. I also want to thank our team with members from Golden West College, Orange Coast College, and the District Office who prepared the grant application and will administer it. This grant brings needed new resources to our exceptional health programs."
About CalOptima Health
A county organized health system, CalOptima Health provides quality health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima Health’s mission is to serve member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. CalOptima Health serves more than 934,000 members with a network of nearly 10,700 primary care doctors and specialists and 39 acute and rehab hospitals.
About Golden West College
Located in the coastal community of Huntington Beach, also known as "Surf City," Golden West College is highly regarded for academic quality and innovation. Founded in 1965 as part of the multi-college Coast Community College District, GWC provides enriching and innovative programs that help students: transfer to four-year institutions, earn associate degrees, complete certificates in career and technical education, advance their careers, and demonstrate college readiness.
About Orange Coast College
Orange Coast College, founded in 1947, is one of the nation's top transfer schools. With a student population of 25,000, OCC provides exemplary programs leading to Associate degrees and 130 career programs. The college's 164-acre campus is located in the heart of Costa Mesa.
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