Health Care

Workforce Updates

August 2023

Gov. Hochul announces applications now open for $500M in child care workforce grants

Applications are open for $500 million from the FY 2024 Budget to bolster New York’s child care workforce through the Workforce Retention Grant Program. Funding will support approximately 150,000 direct child care staff through financial incentives ranging from $2,300 to $3,000 in retention and referral bonuses for existing staff as well as sign-on bonuses for new staff.

Nurses House provides financial assistance to RNs experiencing hardship

Nurses House provides short term grants to RNs who are unable to work due to medical crisis. RNs can apply for help with housing expenses including rent or mortgage payments. If the individual is not currently making a housing payment, Nurses House will cover medical expenses as outlined in the Service Program Guidelines. 

Save the date and call for proposals - Community Wellness Summit

You are invited to submit a workshop proposal for the upcoming Community Wellness Summit. Proposals are due August 21. 

There will be four learning tracks for participants:

• System-level change
• Culturally and linguistically responsive practices
• School-based socio-emotional health
• Youth voice and choice

Click here to learn more and to submit a proposal.

Chamber session to explore connection between healthy habits and leadership

On August 10 at 11 a.m. - noon, the Greater Rochester Chamber presents "Fostering a Positive Workplace Environment through Healthy Habits and Language." Registered Dietitian and Wegmans Nutritionist, Kirby Branciforte, will explore the connection between personal well-being and leadership through an exploration of the various components of healthy eating. 

This event is free for Greater Rochester Chamber members, and $25 for non-members.

Click here to register.

Western NY Rural AHEC offers mental health first aid training

Western NY Rural Area Health Education Center (AHEC) will offer a free Mental health first aid for older adults training in Allegany County on August 18 at 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Crossroads Center in Belmont, N.Y.

Colors of Success session examines "DEI Pitfalls and Landmines"

On August 24 at 1 - 2 p.m., the Colors of Success program offered by The Greater Rochester Chamber will present "DEI Pitfalls & Landmines - What prevents organizations from making DEI initiatives successful?" 

Attendees will learn to:

• Consider how DEI impacts every individual's workplace experience,
• Understand how inclusive work culture is created and sustained,
• Identify strategies for DEIB with an inclusive lens.

This event is free for Greater Rochester Chamber members, and $25 for non-members.

Click here to register.

Family Health Summit to focus on older adult health - click the image below to register

Lifespan's Gerontology Certificate Program begins on September 13

Offered in partnership with the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center (FLGEC) at the University of Rochester, this two-semester, virtual program begins on September 13. Participants can begin either in the fall (September) or the spring semester (January).

Target audience: Anyone interested furthering a career or gaining knowledge about longevity and aging.

Early bird rates are available for registration before August 18. There are special rates for retirees 65+, family care partners, and Lifespan volunteers.

Click here to learn more and to register.

New York State Clinical Lab Association Conference to be held September 13-14

Registration is open for The New York Clinical Laboratory Association's annual meeting on September 13-14 in Albany. This event will provide updates to laboratory executives on issues within the industry, with added focus on national and state specific legislative and regulatory issues.

Click here to learn more and to register.

NIMH webinar to focus on mental health inequities in the Hispanic community

On September 21 at 12:30 - 2 p.m., the National Institute of Mental Health's Office for Disparities Research and Workforce Diversity webinar series will present "Engaging Community Stakeholders to Reduce Mental Health Inequities in the Hispanic Community."

Click here to register.

UR Department of Psychiatry to host behavioral health summit

UR Medicine Department of Psychiatry's will host its 7th Annual Symposium on Friday, September 29 at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hilton Garden Inn in Rochester.

This year's theme is Behavioral Health as Population Health: Addressing Behavioral and Social Mediators of Wellbeing and will feature Kathy Parrinello, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Strong Memorial Hospital, and Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health.

Click here for more information and to register.

Institute for Human Services hosting two DEI trainings in October

Getting comfortable with DEI: Where do I start? On October 10 at 2 - 3:30 p.m., this interactive session will introduce participants to the ARC of Racial Justice, a model developed by author, Jemar Tisby. ARC stands for Awareness, Relationships and Commitment. During the session, participants will discuss ways to increase awareness and build new relationships while also developing their own personal plan and commitment to dismantling racism. 

Developing strategic plans through a DEI framework On October 11 at 2 - 3:30 p.m., participants will be introduced to a comprehensive framework that identifies organizational focus areas and internal and external players, along with the stages of development necessary to work through to achieve transformed and equitable environments.

Regional health care workforce inventory in development

A draft inventory is available for review. We invite your feedback! Please email Melissa Pennise to let us know what information will be valuable to you, missing programs that we should include, or other feedback on the format and use of a regional inventory of health care workforce programs. 

Center for Health Workforce Studies publishes nurse graduations report

The annual survey of deans of New York State’s registered nursing (RN) nursing programs conducted by the Center for Health Workforce Studies (CHWS) provides critical information on the production of RNs in the state that can assist stakeholders to better understand the relationship between RN production and the supply of the state’s nursing workforce. This brief describes findings from the most recent survey of nursing education programs.

Nonprofit organizations sought to serve as STEP internship sites

The Skills, Training, & Experience Program (STEP) is a collaboration between RochesterWorks and Monroe County, designed to empower individuals and provide them with work-related experiences, helping them begin a path towards economic independence. This replaces the pre-pandemic WEP (Work Experience Program).

By participating in STEP, your organization can leverage the program to access interns who are currently receiving public assistance through the County Department of Human Services (DHS). By providing them with unpaid opportunities within your organization, you can:

• Meet your organization’s needs: Utilize STEP interns to support your mission and address operational needs.
• Identify potential candidates for hire: Observe interns' work habits, communication skills, and motivation to achieve, allowing you to identify individuals who align with your organization's values and may be strong candidates for future employment.

STEP partners may include non-profit organizations, government entities, educational institutions, and municipalities within the Monroe County area. For-profit entities are not eligible. 

To explore this opportunity further and become a STEP partner, contact Tammy Hayes at Thayes@rochesterworks.org or (585) 753-5654. 

SUNY Corning Community College offers RN refresher course

This independent study course will update and enhance the nursing knowledge and clinical skills of registered nurses seeking to transition from a non-acute care environment (long-term care, school nursing, occupational health, home care, etc.) to seek employment at an acute care facility. The course is also designed for nurses who have been out of the nursing workforce who would like to review necessary information in order to return to work as an RN.

The course costs $3,350 (includes online, simulation, and clinical. Does not include uniforms).

Click here to learn more.

Please share your health care workforce updates

If you have a training opportunity or workforce update you'd like us to share, you can send it to melissa.pennise@commongroundhealth.org, and we will add it to the next newsletter.

Please share this newsletter with others in your organization who might benefit and encourage them to sign up to receive it. 
https://www.commongroundhealth.org/newsletter-sign-up