Client:
Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS)
Timeframe:
December 2022 – December 2023
In 2022, the Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) was charged with designing and implementing a $9 million Health Care Employer Nursing Pipeline and Apprenticeship Program via the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds. The program was intended to address the state’s nursing workforce shortage by enabling Vermont’s health care employers’ existing staff members, including personal care attendants, licensed nursing assistants, and licensed practical nurses, to become higher-level nursing professionals.
Joy Street Consulting was engaged by Vermont AHS to develop a grant program capable of achieving the policy goal of strengthening Vermont’s nursing workforce while getting funds out to grantees in a very short timeframe. To accomplish these goals, Joy Street collaborated closely with local subject matter experts to understand key bottle necks within the state’s system for training nurses and, along with AHS, met with numerous stakeholders to gain insight into key employer challenges, including those related to program timing, required match funds, preceptor availability, and geography. Joy Street worked with AHS to develop parameters for the grant program, then drafted and refined the Request for Proposals (RFP), organized the Round 1 RFP review process, and presented the results.
Approximately $5 million was awarded across six employers via the Round 1 RFP process, with another five employers engaged in Round 2. As of late 2025, almost 180 existing staff members had successfully engaged in the program.
