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  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire announces Recovery Act grants for worker training programs

For Immediate Release: February 12, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced more than $16 million in Recovery Act grants to help health care providers advance the use of health information technology and train workers for the health care jobs of the future.

�This is another example of our Washington state agencies working hard for the citizens of our state to obtain every federal stimulus dollar possible,� Gregoire said. �This funding allows for needed advancements in our health care system, and provides hundreds of Washingtonians with the training they need to move into higher-paying, high-demand health care professions.�

The state�s Health Care Authority received a $11.3 million Recovery Act grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to help facilitate health care providers' efforts to adopt and use electronic health records to improve the quality and efficiency of health care for all Americans.

�Health information technology can make our health care system more efficient and improve the quality of care we all receive," said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. "These grant awards, the first of their kind, will help develop our electronic infrastructure and give doctors and other health care providers the support they need as they adopt this powerful technology."

Gregoire designated the HCA as the lead agency for statewide health information infrastructure planning and implementation. The HCA has formed partnerships with public and private organizations to help create a statewide Health Information Exchange system.

Additionally, through the Department of Labor, the Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board received a $5 million Recovery Act grant to train 550 entry-level Washington health care workers to help them move into better paying, in demand positions. Other beneficiaries are workers who have yet to be hired, but will fill positions vacated by current workers as they are trained and reach higher levels in the health care career ladder.

�The Recovery Act�s investments are making a positive difference in the lives of America�s working families,� said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. �The Recovery Act funded grants announced today will ensure thousands of workers across the nation can receive high-quality training and employment services, which will lead to good jobs in healthcare and other industries offering career-track employment and good pay and benefits.�

Key partners include the Health Workforce Institute, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi‐Employer Fund, NWTP, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, SEIU Healthcare 775, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and Spokane Workforce Investment Board.