San Rafael, CA — Marin County leaders have approved a new $500,000 scholarship program to train more nurses for home health care, a targeted response to mounting workforce shortages as the county’s population ages.
The initiative, called the Marin Home Health Heroes Scholarship Program, was adopted by the Board of Supervisors this week and will begin accepting applications on January 15, 2026. County officials said the funding will support up to 50 students in the 2026–27 academic year, offering awards of up to $15,000 each to cover tuition, books, and living stipends.
How the program works
The scholarships are designed for students pursuing certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed vocational nurse (LVN), and registered nurse (RN) credentials, with an emphasis on skills needed in home-based care for older adults and people with disabilities. The program will be administered through Marin County’s Health and Human Services agency in partnership with the College of Marin and the Marin Home Care Collaborative.
Recipients must either live in Marin or commit to work for local home health providers for two to three years after graduation. The service commitment includes a repayment clause if requirements are not met, county documents show. Training will include simulation labs designed to mirror in-home settings and clinical rotations with local agencies.
Why it’s happening now
County officials said the move is meant to stem a growing shortage in home health staffing that has strained families and providers. Roughly one-quarter of Marin residents are 65 or older, one of the highest shares in California, and rural areas like West Marin face persistent access challenges.
“Marin’s home health care system is on the brink,” Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters said at the meeting. “These scholarships aren’t a luxury—they’re essential to keeping our community healthy and independent.”
The county expects the program to retain more nurses locally over the next five years and reduce avoidable hospital and nursing home use by enabling more residents to receive care at home. A recent analysis from state health policy researchers projects a significant gap in California’s home health workforce by 2030, with rising demand outpacing current training pipelines.
Funding and focus
The $500,000 comes from a mix of county general fund dollars and remaining federal pandemic relief, along with state matching funds, according to county leaders. The timing coincides with National Home Care & Hospice Month and builds on a smaller pilot launched in 2023 that county officials said showed promise but lacked scale.
Scott McMillan, director of Marin Health and Human Services, framed the investment as part of a broader shift toward care at home. “This isn’t just funding education—it’s investing in dignity for our seniors to age in place,” he said. “With about a quarter of our residents over 65, we need to grow the home health workforce now.”
Program partners said the scholarships will prioritize students from underserved communities and first-generation college students to better reflect Marin’s diversity. College of Marin leaders noted that interest in nursing has grown since the pandemic, but cost remains a barrier for many.
Big need, measured start
Industry reports show turnover among home health aides and entry-level nurses remains high, driven by burnout and wage pressures. Experts say scholarships can improve retention—especially when tied to local service—but warn they work best alongside competitive pay and career ladders.
County officials acknowledged the program’s scale is modest compared with long-term needs but said the initial cohort will help test and refine the model. An evaluation is planned for 2027, with an option to expand the number of awards if results show strong retention and improved access to in-home services, particularly in rural parts of the county.
Applications and eligibility details will be posted on the county’s website and the College of Marin portal early next year. If approved on schedule, the first cohort would begin coursework in fall 2026 and enter the local workforce shortly after graduation.
Discover more from Skilled Care Journal
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
