§ 1616h. Health training programs of community colleges

• (a)
  • (1) The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall award grants to community colleges for the purpose of assisting the community college in the establishment of programs which provide education in a health profession leading to a degree or diploma in a health profession for individuals who desire to practice such profession on an Indian reservation or in a tribal clinic.
  • (2) The amount of any grant awarded to a community college under paragraph (1) for the first year in which such a grant is provided to the community college shall not exceed $100,000.
• (b)
  • (1) The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall award grants to community colleges that have established a program described in subsection (a)(1) for the purpose of maintaining the program and recruiting students for the program.
  • (2) Grants may only be made under this section to a community college which—
    • (A) is accredited,
    • (B) has access to a hospital facility, Service facility, or hospital that could provide training of nurses or health professionals,
    • (C) has entered into an agreement with an accredited college or university medical school, the terms of which—
      • (i) provide a program that enhances the transition and recruitment of students into advanced baccalaureate or graduate programs which train health professionals, and
      • (ii) stipulate certifications necessary to approve internship and field placement opportunities at service unit facilities of the Service or at tribal health facilities,
    • (D) has a qualified staff which has the appropriate certifications, and
    • (E) is capable of obtaining State or regional accreditation of the program described in subsection (a)(1).
• (c) The Secretary shall encourage community colleges described in subsection (b)(2) to establish and maintain programs described in subsection (a)(1) by—
  • (1) entering into agreements with such colleges for the provision of qualified personnel of the Service to teach courses of study in such programs, and
  • (2) providing technical assistance and support to such colleges.
• (d) Any program receiving assistance under this section that is conducted with respect to a health profession shall also offer courses of study which provide advanced training for any health professional who—
  • (1) has already received a degree or diploma in such health profession, and
  • (2) provides clinical services on an Indian reservation, at a Service facility, or at a tribal clinic.
• (e) For purposes of this section—
  • (1) The term “community college” means—
    • (A) a junior or community college that is a tribally controlled college or university, or
    • (B) a junior or community college.
  • (2) The term “tribally controlled college or university” has the meaning given to such term by section 1801(a)(4) of this title .
  • (3) The term “junior or community college” has the meaning given to such term by section 1058(e) 1 1 See References in Text note below. of title 20.