Our Partners

The Connecticut AHEC Program was established in 1995 with an appropriation from the Connecticut General Assembly. These funds allowed the development of a program office at the UConn School of Medicine and the formation of the first AHEC in Norwich. Federal AHEC grant funding began in 1997. The four AHECs in Connecticut together provide statewide coverage. All four centers are now independent 501(c)(3) organizations.
The Connecticut Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network works throughout Connecticut to improve access to basic health care by linking local community groups with the resources of UConn Health and other health profession training programs. For example, the AHEC Program brought UConn Health students and faculty together with several community-based organizations to establish migrant farm worker health care in Connecticut.

The AHEC (Area Health Education Centers) program was developed by Congress in 1971. The goal of this federally funded program is to improve health care access through the training, recruitment, and retention of diverse health professionals who are committed to helping underserved populations. By applying academic medicine resources, the AHEC program aims to contribute to addressing local community health needs.

The Southern Connecticut Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association, Inc. was founded in 1990 by Anita Smalls and co-founders Jacqueline Johnson, Melanese Kotey, and Stephanie Wilborne. The Southern Connecticut Black Nurses Association, Inc. (SCBNA), since its inception has been guided by the NBNA principle that African American nurses have the understanding, knowledge, interest, concern, and the expertise to make a significant difference in the health care status of African American and minority communities. Thus, SCBNA/NBNA’s goal of improving the health of African Americans through the provision of culturally competent, community-based programs has been the cornerstone of the organization and continues to be its driving force. 

Connecticut State Community College provides access to academically rigorous and innovative education and training focused on student success. The college supports excellence in teaching and learning, makes data-informed decisions, promotes equity, and advances positive change for the students, communities, and industries it serves.

Founded in 1927, University of Bridgeport is home to a diverse student body who are united by a shared commitment to career readiness, innovation, and a supportive, challenging learning environment. The innovative thinking that led to the founding of UB almost a century ago continues to guide us today as we connect to a wider world.

Griffin Hospital is a 160-bed acute care community hospital serving more than 130,000 residents of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Region. Griffin Hospital also serves as the flagship hospital for Planetree, an international leader in patient-centered care and has received national recognition for creating a healthcare facilities and an approach to patient care that is responsive to the needs of patients. Many healthcare organizations around the world send visitors to Griffin Hospital’s facilities and incorporate its Planetree concepts into their healthcare models.
A not-for-profit, tax-exempt subsidiary of the Griffin Health Services Corporation, Griffin Hospital is affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine, The Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, and accredited by The Joint Commission. Griffin Hospital has more than 300 active and courtesy physicians who have admitting privileges.

The Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) is a non-profit organization that has been serving Eastern Connecticut since 1985.

Workforce Alliance is a policy and oversight organization responsible for creating a comprehensive, community-wide response to the challenges of building a highly skilled workforce. Through the coordination and administration of a variety of employment and training initiatives, we have prepared thousands of individuals for jobs and have assisted numerous employers with training and employee transition. With a majority of leaders of local businesses and industry, Workforce Alliance has worked closely with business organizations, local elected officials and community leaders to meet changing local needs and shifting national economic and workforce trends. The Alliance serves the residents and businesses of South Central Connecticut.

The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board’s mission is developing and maintaining skilled workers in Northwest Connecticut.

The state’s regional Workforce Development Board in North Central Connecticut, Capital Workforce Partners helps individuals overcome barriers to employment and closes the gap between skills and business hiring needs. The organization is guided by a Consortium of the region’s chief and elected officials and by representatives from business, education, and labor serving on its Board of Directors. Capital Workforce Partners invests in youth development, develops sustainable career paths for adult workers, and assists employers with a variety of programs and services provided through the American Job Center network. Capital Workforce Partners is proudly supported by many funders and partners.