MiReach

The State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development (LEO-WD), as the lead applicant, worked collaboratively with WIN and other partners to apply for a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Labor H-1B Rural Healthcare Grant Program to establish Michigan Rural Enhanced Access to Careers in Healthcare (MiREACH). The MIREACH grant was awarded in Q1 2021 to support an employer-led collaborative focused on the healthcare workforce shortages in rural communities across the state. Over the next four years, the grant will support the addition of more than 430 new healthcare workers and incumbent workers advanced into new positions in rural communities throughout Michigan.

The purpose of the U.S. Department of Labor H-1B Rural Healthcare grant program is to alleviate healthcare workforce shortages by creating sustainable employment and training programs in healthcare occupations (including behavioral and mental healthcare) serving rural populations.

In 2021, MIREACH was elevated to a State Council and the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) was dedicated as a resource to support the MIREACH employer-led collaborative to verify rural healthcare locations for participant training delivered through this grant. MCRH plays a key role in rural health care by assisting in the creation and implementation of partnerships among organizations, health departments, hospitals, government and academia.

The MiREACH Project Council provides input and recommendations to help the State of Michigan achieve its performance outcomes related to the MiREACH project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor H-1B Rural Healthcare Grant Program.

In-demand H-1B healthcare occupations include:

• Medical Assistants
• Certified Nursing Assistants
• Registered Nurses
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Medical Equipment Preparers (Sterile Processing Technicians)
• Surgical Technologists
• Home Health Aides and Direct Care Aides
• Psychiatric Aides and Technicians
• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Social Workers

MIREACH is aimed at serving veterans, military spouses, transitioning service members, and underrepresented populations including women, people of color, ex-offenders, individuals with disabilities, incumbent workers and other populations which are required to be 17 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in secondary school within a local educational agency.

MIREACH program activities include:

• Convening: Engaging healthcare providers and employers in the adoption and deployment of employment and training services to address specific healthcare needs in rural areas
• Career Pathway Development: Establishing new or expanding existing career pathways in the healthcare sector that focus on the skills, competencies, and credentials needed for middle to high-skilled direct patient healthcare occupations
• Developing Training options: to prepare individuals to successfully move into middle- to high-skilled employment in healthcare occupations which include work-based learning options.

To learn more visit michigan.gov.