WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced $1,514,211 in American Rescue Plan funding for the University of Maine System to support tailored evidence-informed training development within health profession and nursing training activities. The Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program’s curriculum aims to help reduce burnout and promote resilience among health care students, residents, health care professionals, paraprofessionals, trainees, and public safety officers, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and ambulance crew members. The funding will be awarded over three years.

“As we fight new variants of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maine’s healthcare workers continue to put their lives on the line for our communities. These healthcare heroes work long shifts in difficult conditions, often without the support they deserve,” said Senator King. “This new American Rescue Plan funding will help the University of Maine support our state’s health care workforce and provide more resources to protect them as they help Maine people heal. This will mean better outcomes for our healthcare workers, our patients, and our communities. I’m grateful for the lifesaving work healthcare providers have done during this pandemic, and hope this funding can provide the helping hand they so clearly deserve.”  

“Our health workforce is far past the breaking point, and sadly, this deadly pandemic is far from over. Our ongoing fight against COVID-19 demands a resilient health system, but we must be proactive rather than reactive in strengthening and supporting our overworked and overburdened health care professionals,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “We’re thrilled the American Rescue Plan is once again delivering for the people of Maine by ensuring we have the tools needed to not only get through the pandemic, but to work towards a better and more stable health system.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is awarding $103 million to 45 grantees across the country through three programs:

·       Promoting Resilience and Mental Health Among Health Professional Workforce – HRSA is awarding $28.6 million to 10 grantees to help health care organizations establish, improve, or expand evidence-informed programs and practices to promote mental health and well-being among the health workforce, including their employees.

·       Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program – HRSA is awarding $68.2 million to 34 grantees to support tailored evidence-informed training development within health profession and nursing training activities. This curriculum will help reduce burnout and promote resilience among health care students, residents, health care professionals, paraprofessionals, trainees and public safety officers, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and ambulance crew members. 

·       Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center – HRSA is awarding $6 million to George Washington University to provide tailored training and technical assistance to today’s awardees. 

King and Pingree were proud supporters of the American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law last March.