Having approved industry changes that could slash 4,100 of the state's hospital beds, Gov. George Pataki is hoping to cushion the blow with a fund designed to help workers displaced by the restructuring. The funds will pay for job training, counseling and placement for displaced workers, primarily those in less-skilled positions such as service, clerical, maintenance and security positions. (The program assumes that in-demand clinical workers will have a much easier time finding new opportunities.) Funding for the placement effort comes from the $1.5 billion federal grant fueling the overall downsizing program.

To find out more about the program:
- read this release [1] from Gov. Pataki's office

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