CalOptima Health Grants Cal State Fullerton $5 Million for Workforce Development at the School of Nursing

ORANGE, Calif. (May 15, 2024) — To expand the health care workforce, the CalOptima Health Board of Directors approved a $5 million grant over five years for Cal State Fullerton nursing programs that will support students in completing their training and eventually caring for Medi-Cal recipients in Orange County. The grant is part of CalOptima Health’s Provider Workforce Development Initiative, which aims to address health disparities and better secure the future delivery of medical and behavioral health care for the Medi-Cal population.

Using the CalOptima Health funding, Cal State Fullerton will increase the numbers of Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students in the Jump Start, Concurrent Enrollment and regular BSN programs. The Jump Start and Concurrent Enrollment programs are longstanding partnerships with local community colleges that enable ADN students to take courses that count toward their BSN degree, thus shortening the time to earn their Cal State Fullerton degree and enter the workforce. The university plans to award $10,000 stipends to 50 nursing students each year to complete their BSN, a total of 250 students across the five-year program. The grant also supports expansion of Jump Start and Concurrent Enrollment program courses, as well as administrative management of the stipends.

“Our Provider Workforce Development Initiative is intended to increase access to high-quality, equitable care for our members by investing in the education of students,” said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health. “Working with Cal State Fullerton to support the training of new caregivers holds great promise, and we look forward to more nurses graduating successfully and making a commitment to serve Orange County.”

“The health care system nationwide is facing a severe shortage of workers across multiple specialties,” said Dr. Sylvia A. Alva, Cal State Fullerton President. “We are excited and grateful to partner with CalOptima Health and local community colleges to support our effort to educate more baccalaureate (BSN) nurses in Orange County. It takes partnerships and collaborations like this to fully respond to the needs of our region.”

“As the Supervisor for Cal State Fullerton, I have been working closely with the university to fill the gap and train skilled, diverse and compassionate nurses,” said Doug Chaffee, Vice Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and a CalOptima Health Board Member. “By providing stipends to students and increasing the number of nursing program placements, we are not only investing in their futures but also ensuring that our community’s health care needs are met.”

A county organized health system, CalOptima Health provides quality health care coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima Health’s mission is to serve member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. CalOptima Health serves more than 932,000 members with a network of 10,800 primary care doctors and specialists and 39 acute and rehab hospitals. Visit www.caloptima.org.

The largest university in the CSU and the only campus in Orange County, Cal State Fullerton offers more than 100 degree programs and Division 1 athletics. Recognized as a national model for supporting student success, CSUF excels with innovative, high-impact educational practices, including faculty-student collaborative research, study abroad and competitive internships. CSUF is a top public university known for its success in supporting first-generation and underrepresented students, and preparing all students to become leaders in the global marketplace. Our vibrant and diverse campus is a primary driver of workforce and economic development in the region. Visit fullerton.edu.

Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee represents the Fourth District, which includes the Cities of Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton, portions of Anaheim, and unincorporated communities.