Introducing KY HealthCorps
My name is Megan Eldridge, I grew up in the Kentuckiana area and landed back here after 4 years in Indianapolis for college. I graduated with a degree in Communication and Organizational Leadership from Butler University in 2017. I am passionate about the meaningful work behind seeing individuals, families, and communities thrive. When I saw this opportunity with Family Scholar House to work on a new program focused on service, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. I am thrilled to be joining Family Scholar House as the KY HealthCorps Program Director.
KY HealthCorps is a brand new program created to build up the healthcare workforce. It’s exciting to walk into something in the development phase and see so much possibility. Every time we gather to strategize and lay the groundwork for the program, we realize the potential impact it can have on individuals and the commonwealth as a whole. And we haven’t even launched yet!
In August, we will start accepting applications for 200 part-time positions. There are many service options available, allowing members to find the best fit for their current schedule and career goals. Positions range anywhere from CNA, Dietary Aid, and Guest Relations Specialist, all the way to Business Management, Outreach & Education Specialist, with so many others in between. There is room in the program for anyone interested in becoming a healthcare professional. Members will gain valuable training, on-the-job experience, and career coaching so that when they complete their service they are ready to take their next best step toward their career goals.
Members will complete their service hours with our partner, LeadingAge Kentucky. LeadingAge Kentucky is a non-profit network of healthcare facilities all over the state specializing in senior and disability care. We know these populations are often overlooked and underserved, and we are proud to send our members into these facilities.
While members serve, they will receive a living allowance and have access to all the support services offered by Family Scholar House. At the end of their service, they receive an education stipend. The living allowance and education stipend are a huge benefit to those who know they want to pursue a career in healthcare, but don’t want to go into a ton of school debt. Another great benefit of serving is the community of a serve team. We are enrolling members in cohorts and assigning them in groups to the facilities so that there is a ton of peer support.
Our hope is this program breaks down barriers and creates a clear path to success for our members. We know their service is needed, but it is also important to us that members thrive long after their service in the program is finished. We plan to raise a generation of confident healthcare professionals and community leaders who will fill a great need across the state. We can’t wait to look back next year and see the impact!