Millers Health Systems Receives State Training Grant to Upgrade Nursing Staff

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indiana Department of Workforce Development and Indiana Economic Development Corporation have awarded a Training Acceleration Grant of $162,010 to Millers Health Systems, a Warsaw-based operator of 31 rehabilitation health care centers and 11 assisted living communities throughout Indiana. Millers Health Systems will supplement the state grant with a match of $178,650.

The grant will enable 33 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) currently employed at Millers to achieve Registered Nurse (RN) status. Ball State University’s School of Nursing will deliver the training to the staff directly at five of the company’s facilities and through the Internet. The 33 nurses completing the training will receive a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) from Ball State.

“This grant package addresses one of the challenging workforce issues we face in Indiana, that of the supply and quality of health care workers,” said Andrew Penca, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “This training will enable Millers to upgrade their existing staff and address a critical RN shortage, while doing so in a minimally disruptive manner in that the education and training will be delivered at five locations or via the Internet.”

Millers currently employs more than 500 Licensed Practical Nurses and 215 Registered Nurses. The company provides care to more than 1000 Hoosiers.

Jim Riggle, Community Affairs Manager with Indiana Michigan Power and Chair of Eastern Indiana Regional Workforce Board said, “I applaud the efforts of the Board and WorkOne staff in working with Millers in developing a creative application to grow the workforce across the state.”

“We are pleased to be working with Millers Health Systems, IEDC, and the Department of Workforce Development to help prepare Indiana’s workforce for our rapidly changing economy,” said Frank Sabatine, Associate Vice President of Economic Development and Community Engagement, Ball State University.

The Training Acceleration Grant program is the state’s primary incumbent worker training program. It provides matching grants to companies and organizations seeking to expand the skills of existing workers through training which results in industry-recognized credentials.

“A quality workforce is a key component of any economy,” said Nathan J. Feltman, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “The Training Acceleration Grant program helps Indiana companies increase the skills of their workforce and builds a more educated and diverse economic base that will continue to pay dividends well into the future.”

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is charged with continually improving the Hoosier workforce by assisting companies to create new jobs and improve worker skills. Indiana Department of Workforce Development partners with each of its eleven Regional Workforce Boards in marketing and developing training initiatives with Indiana’s companies.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development offers training and educational grants, administers the unemployment insurance system, provides labor market information, and provides services through Indiana’s 26 WorkOne Centers. In partnership with Regional Workforce Boards, the agency assists employers with preparing workers for layoffs and closures and operates a statewide job placement service. This grant application was initiated by the Eastern Indiana Regional Workforce Board and the WorkOne system.

As a result of legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly in February, 2005, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) replaced the Department of Commerce as the premier entity charged with state economic development. IEDC has a 12-member board chaired by Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development Press Release