BCTC receives KAHP grant to support a Cohort of 200 Healthcare Students
Published on Dec 12, 2024
LEXINGTON, KY – Bluegrass Community & Technical College (BCTC) will receive a grant for $447,513.62
from Kentucky Association of Health Plan, Inc. (KAHP) over the next three years to
fund a pilot initiative.
Over the next three years, BCTC will pilot an initiative that combines two proven best practices: loaning students’ laptops and personalized student coaching. The funds from the KAHP grant will support a cohort of 200 healthcare students.
This program will place a laptop computer in the hands of the healthcare students who struggle the most. Each laptop will include software designed to connect students with resources that will help them succeed academically and develop healthier lifestyle habits. Healthcare students may retain these loaner laptops for the duration of their time as a BCTC healthcare student if they are taking a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester. The loaned computer will be returned to BCTC (for use by other healthcare students) if the student does not complete their healthcare program of study within three years or if they fall below enrollment in six hours of courses per semester. If the student completes their healthcare program of study during this 3-year pilot project, that healthcare student will retain and own their assigned laptop. This will serve as an additional incentive for completing their course of study so they will be more likely to obtain employment by the conclusion of this pilot project.
As a second factor in this intervention initiative, a full-time Wellness Coach will provide holistic case management and student services to facilitate each healthcare student’s completion of educational, career, and overall health goals. The Wellness Coach will provide cohort healthcare students with information on college and community resources, will monitor academic progress, provide individualized academic coaching/guidance, and identify (collaboratively) solutions to students’ barriers (social and academic). The wellness coach will work with each healthcare cohort student to create a personalized plan to increase student persistence, retention, certificate/degree/diploma completion, and/or successful transfer or career entry.
"We're proud to support Bluegrass Community and Technical College's innovative pilot program that helps healthcare students succeed,” said Katherine Kington North, KAHP Vice President of External Affairs. “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."
"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.”, said Dr. Greg Feeney, BCTC President/CEO. “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," said Feeney.
For more information regarding the grant, please contact Dr. Melanie Williamson, Dean of Innovation, at melanie.williamson@kctcs.edu.
