United Way of Central Iowa

Project Title: Central Iowa HealthWorks
Region (applicant-defined)/State(s) or territory served: Central Iowa (Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties)
Phase (applicant-defined): Program Implementation
Award Amount: $1,794,717
Key Industry / Industries: Healthcare
Contact: Sarah Roy, Chief Operating Officer, sarah.roy@unitedwaydm.org; Nicole Shalla, Grants Director, nicole.shalla@unitedwaydm.org
Project Narrative (applicant submitted) (PDF)
View Press Release
Summary:
United Way of Central Iowa is diversifying the local healthcare workforce to lead to better health outcomes and a stronger regional economy. The Good Jobs Challenge partnership will create career pathways into new high-demand healthcare positions by convening the leading healthcare employers in the region: the community’s three major hospital systems, long-term care institutions, community organizations, and educational institutions. To ensure all participants are put on a pathway to prosperity, United Way will prioritize entry-level positions that offer clear paths to advancement and provide each participant with a case manager that will tailor services to the individual. To meet individuals where they are, the program will offer a tiered entry system based on educational attainment ranging from requiring no post-secondary education to providing career advancement opportunities for workers with B.S. degrees in nursing.

The project narrative included above is what was submitted by the applicants. The final EDA-approved scope of work may differ.