March 30, 2020
Christina Jimenez
cjimenez@cccco.edu
T 916.322.4004
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley issued the following statement on Gov. Newsom’s latest initiative to expand the state’s health care workforce to fight COVID-19.
“California’s community colleges will answer the call to help increase the number of health care professionals to prepare for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. Many of our students in nursing, respiratory therapy and other allied health programs in the 115 community colleges throughout the state want to serve in this moment of tremendous need. The new, temporary flexibility with regard to state licensing and certification and professional scopes of work announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom today will make this easier to get qualified health students into the workforce. Already, community colleges are providing 214 ventilators as well as thousands of protective masks, face covers, gloves and gowns to support California’s COVID-19 response.”
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 115 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; degree and certificate pathways; and basic skills education in English and math. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision for Success, a strategic plan designed to improve student success outcomes, increase transfer rates and eliminate achievement gaps. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
###
