A Kentucky nonprofit is using American Rescue Plan Funds to hire 200 part-time AmeriCorps members to provide health care support and services to seniors and disabled individuals in health care facilities across Kentucky. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Family Scholar House in Kentucky is expanding their services with a $2.8 million grant funded by the American Rescue Plan

  • Organizers said there are two primary roles in this Kentucky Health Corps program

  • High school, college students or recent graduates can apply for the program

 

The Family Scholar House’s mission is to “empower families and youth to succeed in education and achieve lifelong self-sufficiency.” 

“It’s about how can we help the overall economic growth of the commonwealth, and what can we do to support the workforce,” said Sarah Brady, director of workforce development at the Family Scholar House. 

The nonprofit is primarily known for offering a support system to single parents and those who have aged out of the foster care system, but they are expanding their services with a $2.8 million grant funded by the American Rescue Plan. 

One goal of the program is to help combat the shortage of health care workers in the state and inspire a new generation of health care workers.

“Also, giving back to their community in such a time of need and really just educating our young adults in the difference they can make,” Brady explained. 

Organizers said there are two primary roles in this Kentucky Health Corps program. 

“The first is called health care hero in training and this is for young adults who may be in high school or just came out of high school,” said Cathe Dykstra, the President and CEO of Family Scholar House. “Then the other role is for folks who come out of college or are in college studying to go into the health care industry.” 

In a statement the AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith said that Public Health AmeriCorps programs, like the one the Family Scholar House is sponsoring, are “a first of a kind response to the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

The Kentucky Scholar House grant is for one year, but is renewable and can be increased in size based on the success.