Job Corps is the nation's largest and most comprehensive residential education and job training program for economically challenged youth, ages 16 through 24. Since 1964, the program has provided more than 1.2 million disadvantaged young people with the integrated academic, vocational, and social skills training they need to gain independence and get quality, long-term jobs or further their education. There are 118 Job Corps centers located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico operated by both federal agencies (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] and United States Department of the Interior [USDI]) and private corporations.

The Job Corps program is authorized under The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 that establishes the framework for a national workforce preparation and employment system designed to meet the needs of the nation's businesses and the needs of job seekers and individuals who want to further their careers. The law provides for full involvement of business, labor, and community organizations in the design and operation of the new workforce system and emphasizes accountability at all levels-national, state and local.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is the federal agency responsible for the operation of Job Corps. The Office of Job Corps is administered by the Job Corps National Director, Deputy Director and three Division Chiefs (Division of Program Planning and Development, Division of Program Review, and Division of National Program Support). The Job Corps national health component is a section of the Division of Program Development and is led by the Nurse Consultant who is responsible for developing and implementing the policies and procedures that guide the delivery of health care on center.

A health support contractor works with the national office, regional offices, and centers to develop and enhance center health and wellness services. For example, the contractor assists the national office in developing policy, training center health and wellness staff on new initiatives, developing resource materials, collecting and analyzing health program data, pilot testing new health and wellness initiatives, and managing a national network of regional health consultants (RHCs).

An RHC team (nurse, physician, dentist, mental health professional) is assigned to each regional office to:

• Conduct assessments of center health and wellness programs for quality and compliance with the PRH
• Provide technical assistance to health and wellness staff
• Assist in the recruitment of health professionals
• Provide training for health and wellness staff
• Coordinate center visits with regional office and center staff
• Follow up on recommendations made during center assessments

Center nurses are encouraged to contact their regional nurse consultant (RNC) when they are in need of policy/procedural advice. Contact numbers for all RHCs are available from the regional office or on the directory webpage.

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