Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-2640

Program.

A. There is hereby established the Oklahoma Health Care Workers

and Educators Assistance Program. The purpose of the program shall

be to encourage persons to enter nursing and allied health careers

within this state. Priority in awarding assistance is intended to

go toward those career fields in which there is an urgent need for

qualified employees to provide health care services or in career

fields in which a shortage of qualified employees is projected to

exist in the future.

B. Only students who are residents of this state shall be

eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Health Care Workers and

Educators Assistance Program.

C. Only students of accredited or recognized health care

programs or colleges and universities shall be eligible for awards

from the Oklahoma Health Care Workers and Educators Assistance

Program.

D. The Oklahoma Health Care Workers and Educators Assistance

Program shall be administered by the Health Care Workforce Resources

Board. The Board is authorized to enter into an agreement with the

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for fiscal services as

may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

E. The Health Care Workforce Resources Board shall implement

the provisions of this section in the most balanced, efficient, and

effective means necessary to meet the following priorities:

1. Create additional nursing or allied health faculty by

providing scholarships to cover individuals’ costs of gaining the

advanced degrees necessary to serve as faculty members in nursing

and allied health education programs;

2. Expand and modernize learning environments by providing

matching grants to nursing and allied health education institutions

to increase the number of clinical opportunities, and to better

utilize online and distance learning, simulations, and other

innovative methods to provide education and training; and

3. Attract more students in nursing and allied health careers

by providing scholarships to cover individuals’ costs of gaining

degrees or certifications necessary to prepare them for nursing and

allied health occupations.

F. The Board shall make an annual public declaration of which

nursing and allied health care education fields have been identified

for priority funding due to either an urgent need for qualified

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1410

employees or due to a determination of a future shortage of

qualified employees.

G. Scholarships established through the Oklahoma Health Care

Workers and Educators Assistance Program may be awarded contingent

on funds made available through the State Regents for Higher

Education.