H.R. 5375: Essential Skills and Child Care for Health Professions Act

This bill, titled the Essential Skills and Child Care for Health Professions Act, proposes changes to the health profession opportunity grant program under the Social Security Act. The main objectives of the bill are to improve access to foundational educational training and provide child care support for individuals pursuing careers in health professions.

Key Provisions

• Foundational Educational Training

  The bill mandates that demonstration projects funded under this program must include:

  • Adult Basic Skills Assessment and Education

    Participants must undergo an assessment of their adult basic skills. If needed, they will be offered adult basic skills education to help them enroll in and complete training programs. The support can include:

    • Creating partnerships that provide pre-training activities focused on improving basic academic skills or English language proficiency.
    • Offering continual resources for skill improvement while participants are enrolled in career pathway programs.
    • Incorporating skill maintenance into ongoing post-graduation career coaching and mentoring.

  • Child Care Support

    The bill guarantees that child care will be an available and affordable service for project participants. This may include:

    • Referring participants to subsidized child care programs and assisting with enrollment.
    • Direct payments to child care providers if subsidized slots are unavailable or inaccessible.
    • Covering co-payments or other associated fees for child care.

• Allowed Support Services

  In addition to the required support, the bill allows for the provision of goods and services that assist participants in accessing and completing courses necessary for high school equivalency or adult basic education.

Effective Date

The changes proposed by this bill are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Relevant Companies

None found