County nursing home uses $15,000 Go North grant to run summer exploration program for future health workers

Strafford County commissioners on July 9 heard details of a new summer exploration program aimed at exposing high-school students to health-care careers at the county nursing home. The presenter said the program was funded with a $15,000 Go North grant and is structured as a 16-hour-per-week course that yields roughly 80 hours of instruction and hands-on experience.

County staff explained the program combines clinical skills, administrative tasks and unit-level orientation. The presenter said the first week is orientation, featuring sensitivity training led by Arnold Gustafson, HIPAA and other required content, and coordination with a local high-school LNA program. "They really loved it," the presenter said of the students’ response to the exercises.

The presenter said students must submit an audit-style summary of their experience and will receive a stipend and a completion certificate. Commissioners praised the initiative: Chair Michelle Lehi said younger workers “make a big difference” for local health care. Staff said they contacted local guidance offices to recruit students, retained eight participants so far out of about 10–15 who initially expressed interest, and expect UNH to film portions of the program subject to student waivers.

Why it matters: County staff framed the program as one tactic to address long-term staffing shortages by building a local pipeline of trained workers. The presenter said the county may repeat or expand the program in the fall and will ask commissioners to meet students or appear at a certificate presentation.

No formal vote was required. Staff said they will continue recruitment and logistics work and will return with updates if the program expands.