Strong Native Workforce launched in Oakland to offer Native American adults (18 years or older) with employment services that range from job placement, referral to existing training and education resources, to job readiness skills training as well as individual cultural support.

The Strong Native Workforce Project is hosted by the Native American Health Center, Oakland, in order to incorporate workforce development services into its approach toward building healthy neighborhoods and addressing social determinants of health, along with community economic development. Dedicated to serving Urban Indians, the Native American Health Center stands strong as one of the oldest and the largest Urban Indian Health programs in the United States.

Native American Health Center (NAHC) is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center proudly serving California’s Bay Area Native Population and other underserved communities. Caring for the Bay Area since 1972, NAHC has worked at local, state, and federal levels to deliver resources and services for the urban Native community. As an Urban Indian Health Project through our relationship with the Indian Health Service (IHS), we are dedicated to providing high quality medical, dental, behavioral health, community wellness, and social service programs.

News & Updates

News Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2022

Contact:    AJ Aguilar, Media Marketing Manager

                   510-485-5971  |  aja@nativehealth.org

Native American Health Center Receives Department of Labor Workforce Innovation Grant

Oakland, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded Native American Health Center (NAHC) $458,403.00 of grant funding through the Indian and Native American Programs (DINAP) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to support our organization’s newly conceptualized workforce development efforts. NAHC is committed to providing our community with workforce development opportunities that emphasize cultural values and practices. This grant will support our vision by funding job placement, education and training services.

“NAHC is honored that the Department of Labor is supporting our workforce development initiatives and our mission to serve the community.” said Chirag Patel, NAHC’s Planning and Development Director. “Through this relationship, we will build on the work we have started in providing workforce development services to the Native American Community in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa counties and beyond.”

NAHC’s workforce program aims to increase employment rates and educational opportunities in our community by providing Native Americans with job readiness, resume workshops and financial support for vocational training, tuition and transportation. With this funding, NAHC will be able to support more than 85 Native American adults each year as they develop their skill sets and build fulfilling and successful careers.

At NAHC, we’ve seen firsthand the economic impact of high unemployment rates among Native American communities compacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this funding will be critical to ensuring our local Native communities have the resources they need. Through these services, NAHC will continue uplifting and strengthening Native American families in Oakland.

Native American Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center committed to providing comprehensive services to improve the health and well-being of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and everyone in our surrounding communities, with respect for cultural and linguistic differences. 

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