Bluegrass Community and Technical College receives grant to fund initiative for healthcare students

Bluegrass Community and Technical College has received a grant in the amount of $447,513.62 from the Kentucky Association of Health Plan, Inc. in order to fund a new initiative for 200 healthcare students at the college. The initiative will seek to encourage these students to finish their healthcare education programs by providing laptops for use during their programs that will become their own property upon completion of their program, and providing holistic wellness coaching during their education journey that ranges from academic help to individualized coaching to help students overcome barriers to their education.

According to an article on Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s website, Dr. Greg Feeney, the school’s president and CEO, was quoted as saying of the grant and initiative, "On behalf of our entire college community, I would like to express BCTC’s heartfelt gratitude for this generous donation from Kentucky Association of Health Plans, Inc. This support will have a lasting impact on our healthcare students, providing them with the resources needed to excel in their studies and pursue careers that are vital to the well-being of our communities. We are proud to partner with KAHP in shaping the future of healthcare education and advancing the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

Two hundred students will be able to receive laptops via the funding from KAHP. The laptops will be given to students who would benefit most from the loan, and will be theirs to use for the duration of their healthcare education journey at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, so long as the student takes at least 12 credit hours per semester. The laptops will be loaded with software that is designed to help them succeed, including software that will assist them academically and personally develop a healthy lifestyle. If the student completes their healthcare training program within the three years of the pilot program, the student will be allowed to keep the laptop for their own personal use, intended to provide an incentive for students to complete their education.

Additionally, the grant funding will provide the 200 healthcare student cohort with a wellness coach who will assist them on their academic and personal journeys for the duration of their program. The wellness coach will be available to help each student develop a holistic plan for their future, including their academic progress, career plans, and their social progress. The wellness coach will point students toward community resources should barriers to their education arise.

Katherine Kington North, who serves as KAHP’s Vice President of External Affairs, said of the organization’s contribution to healthcare students at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, "We're proud to support Bluegrass Community and Technical College's innovative pilot program that helps healthcare students succeed. By providing resources and coaching, we're investing in the future of healthcare in Kentucky and working to improve health outcomes for the Commonwealth. It’s a great way for us to close out a record year of KAHP grant programming."

For more information about Bluegrass Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.