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• Futuro Health Scholar Spotlight

• Current Open Programs, Scholarships Available … Please Share!

• Meet our Futuro Health Scholar Support Team
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In response to a multi-year period of declining enrollment, public higher education institutions have embraced initiatives such as free college programs, inviting those with “some college and no degree” to return, offering credits for prior learning for veterans and working adults through partnerships with employers and worker associations, and even basic income stipends for students. These initiatives have begun to bear fruit, with a 2.1 percent increase in overall undergraduate enrollment at public institutions this fall, with community colleges accounting for nearly 60 percent of this growth according to new data from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) Research Center.  

One community college in California’s rural Central Valley region, Cerro Coso Community College, found that partnering with Futuro Health boosted enrollment and reinvigorated their healthcare career education program by reaching adults who might not otherwise consider attending community college. This public-private collaboration, which began in 2021, initiated with a feasibility study to ensure the data exchange necessary for seamless coordination between the community college team and Futuro Health’s Success Coaches, enabling effective monitoring of student progress through the program.   

Dr. Bonita Steele, Director of Programs & Program Development at Cerro Coso, highlights the partnership's benefits, emphasizing how it showcases the feasibility of collaborating with nonprofit entities to prepare students for successful careers. Futuro Health supplements Cerro Coso’s existing student services, aiding students in making informed career decisions and gaining industry insights. Aside from enhanced support, all students come to Cerro Coso’s medical assistant program having completed Futuro Health’s Human Touch Healthcare^(tm) coursework.

The Cerro Coso team found working with Futuro Health to be a good cultural experience due to the organization’s extensive background in working within public institutions.

Futuro Health's Chief Learning Officer John Cordova notes that the partnership with Cerro Coso offers students accredited, transferable credits at a lower cost compared to other higher education options, making the public institution an ideal choice. “Futuro Health also sources externship opportunities, providing Cerro Coso students with practical experience that complements their learning and better positions them for employment in their field of study,” said Cordova.  

Since its inception in 2020, Futuro Health has empowered 8,415 individuals to become Futuro Health Scholars and embark on personalized educational journeys to attain in-demand healthcare credentials for rewarding careers in healthcare – at no cost other than a minimal registration fee thanks to hospital system funding.

Futuro Health's reach extends beyond California, with partnerships emerging in states like Wyoming. Recognizing the urgent need to bolster its mental and behavioral health workforce, Wyoming has joined forces with Futuro Health to develop a sustainable pipeline of adult learners to pursue mental and behavioral health careers.

Jen Davis, Senior Health and Human Services Policy Advisor with the Wyoming’s Governor Office, said that when they heard about Futuro Health at a National Governors Association meeting, they were immediately drawn to the work. Davis underscored Futuro Health's mission and innovative approach as critical in addressing Wyoming's workforce challenges. By collaborating with Futuro Health, Wyoming aims to leverage industry partnerships and strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline, particularly in rural areas where workforce retention is a pressing concern. 

Davis said they want help defining and developing the pipeline from adult learner to trained healthcare professional.  While planning to start small, they want to build something sustainable in partnership with Futuro Health that will engage their university and community colleges to train individuals across the state with stackable credentials that can be recognized for credit towards the next level of degree. Additionally, Davis said that Futuro Health provides an important link to industry partnerships that will strengthen the workforce pipeline.

Futuro Health's partnerships with public institutions like Cerro Coso Community College and in states like Wyoming exemplify a paradigm shift in education, emphasizing collaborative efforts to spur innovation for meeting evolving workforce demands and empowering individuals with the skills needed for thriving healthcare careers.

Visit www.futurohealth.org or contact us at partnership@futurohealth.org if you have interest in collaborating. 

Tomas immigrated to the United States from Uganda in 2019 to pursue an education, support his family, and live a happier life. Unfortunately, after losing his job at an IT company, he found it difficult to stay afloat. 

The Futuro Health Scholar Support Team, including Success Coaches, Outreach Team Members and Facilitators, are dedicated to supporting our Scholars in their educational journey towards a fulfilling career in healthcare. We understand that each Scholar has unique needs and challenges, and we're here to provide personalized coaching and goal setting to help them succeed. We're committed to celebrating their achievements along the way and working together to overcome any obstacles they may encounter.

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