Sean Scanlon, Connecticut’s State Comptroller, visited Southern Connecticut State University’s College of Health and Human Services on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, to discuss the renewal of CT Health Horizons, a transformative $35 million program aimed at addressing Connecticut’s growing healthcare workforce shortage.
Launched in 2023, this three-year initiative, set to expire in 2026, is designed to bolster the ranks of nurses and behavioral health professionals while expanding opportunities for students, particularly those from diverse and first-generation backgrounds.
Southern was identified early on to play a key role in CT Health Horizons, receiving $3 million in grant funding – $1.4 million for Southern’s accelerated nursing program, which has been instrumental in training new nurses to address the critical workforce shortage, and $1.6 million for the social work program, supporting tuition assistance and the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty members.
“My professors were amazing—they understood that I was working overnight shifts, so even if I was five minutes late to class sometimes, they were always supportive,” said Liveth Flores-Parra, enrolled in the advanced master’s of social work program at Southern. “Without the grant, I probably wouldn’t have had the same networking opportunities. It helped me connect with incredible people through DCF, my internship, and even my current job.”
During his visit, Scanlon emphasized the importance of the program’s renewal, reflecting on the resilience of students supported by CT Health Horizons.
“You all are doing things that take incredible strength and determination—things that many people wouldn’t have the ability to do,” Scanlon said. “Your stories matter, and I’m going to keep fighting to make sure this program is extended so others can have the same opportunities you’ve had.”
