Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP)

hpcop@hcai.ca.gov

Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP) will fund health career conferences, workshops, and health career exploration programs in California, especially those serving underrepresented and/or disadvantaged students.

Funds will be awarded in the following categories:

• Health Career Conferences and Workshops - programs that focus on introducing students to a variety of health career options through career fairs and workshops.
• Hands-On Experience in Healthcare - programs that directly engage participants in health careers through hands-on experiences that include direct interaction with healthcare professionals in real or simulated healthcare settings.

Applicants in either category must:

• Inspire and prepare students for careers in health professions through training, mentorship, educational or financial support, and other means
• Create and/or strengthen educational partnerships, community support, and workforce preparation efforts between entities
• Provide programming that is culturally and linguistically responsive to program participants, which requires recognizing and addressing behaviors, values, practices, attitudes, and beliefs as they affect their healthcare
• Address challenges specific to the program participants and program demographics

While HCEP funded activities are open to all participants regardless of age, gender, race or ethnicity, program activities should include individuals from historically underrepresented groups. Outreach and recruitment efforts in rural and medically underserved areas/populations, to educationally and/or economically disadvantaged students, and to persons with disabilities, former foster youth, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, veterans, immigrants, refugees, and adult/non-traditional learners are encouraged.

Proposals will be accepted from public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit organizations located within the state of California. Eligible health professions include:

• Primary care
• Behavioral health
• Caring for older adults
• Nursing
• Oral health
• Allied health

Health Career Conferences and Workshops: Up to $20,000
Health Career Exploration: Up to $25,000

Links to application instructions and the online application are available on the program website.

Applicant webinar
(Registration required)
September 5, 2024
10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific