Health Care

Workforce Updates

February 2024

February Consortium meeting to host NYS Education Department

As follow-up from our December discussion with New York State Department of Health, we are pleased to announce that leaders from New York State Department of Education will be joining the Regional Consortium on Health Care Workforce on February 29 at 1 – 3 p.m. This virtual meeting will highlight the Office of the Professions and a discussion of NYS Education Department's priorities for fiscal year 2024-2025.

If you are interested in attending, please email Kira Jackson with the subject line "February Workforce Meeting." 

We look forward to seeing you!

ColoRise Lunch and Learn focuses on women of color in leadership

On February 8 at noon - 1 p.m., Eleversity will celebrate Black History Month with "When we lead, we all win - Why We Matter," a candid conversation lead by Dr. Andrea Cain Lawson on the value of women of color in leadership roles. Join this virtual session to understand how an organization can move beyond good intentions to real action and impact.

Click here to register. 

Workshop to focus on employee resource groups

On February 13 at 10 - 11:30 a.m., Rochester Works, ACCESS-VR and Finger Lakes Works will host a free virtual workshop featuring panelists from L3 Harris, ESL Federal Credit Union, and YMCA about Employee Resource Groups (ERG). The panel will share their experience with development of ERGs, categories of ERGs and how they operate, and benefits they have observed.

For any accommodation requests for this event, please reach out to Lindsay Murphy at 585-258-3500 x3513 or lmurphy@rochesterworks.org by February 8.

Click here to register.

CCSI offers OASAS Clinical Supervision Foundations II Training

This 16-hour Clinical Supervision Foundations II training consists of 12 hours of interactive Zoom training sessions and 4 hours of multi-media homework assignments. 

Sessions will be held on Mondays, February 26, March 4, 11 and 18 at 9:00 a.m. - noon.

PLEASE NOTE: Pre-requisite to this 16-hour Clinical Supervision Foundations II classroom training is completion of the Clinical Supervision Foundations Part 1 14 hour online course.

Click here to register.

Program Spotlight: RIT U-RISE aims to launch biomedical careers for Deaf or hard-of-hearing students

RIT's Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) is an NIH-funded training program to support Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) Bachelor’s-level students (U-RISE Trainees) who want a PhD in biomedical, biobehavioral, or clinical research fields. RIT U-RISE pays qualified RIT undergraduate D/HH students to participate in mentored intensive research experiences and professional activities for up to three years.

The program was recently featured in Biomedical Beat Blog from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

Alzheimer's Association offers microlearning series on modifiable risk factors for dementia (CME, CNE)

Jointly provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Alzheimer’s Association, this four-part microlearning video series will address of modifiable risk factors - lifestyle and behaviors that can reduce or increase a person’s chances of developing dementia. This series will outline evidence-based risk reduction interventions for dementia focused on: physical activity, diabetes/obesity, vascular risks and tobacco use. Estimated time to complete activity: 15 minutes [.25] credit hours per module.

Click here to register.

Applications are open for 2024-2025 Health and Aging Policy Fellowship 

The Health and Aging Policy Fellows (HAPF) Program provides a unique opportunity for professionals in health and aging to gain the experience and skills necessary to make a positive contribution to the development and implementation of health policies that affect older Americans.

The one-year Fellowship runs from October 1 – September 30 and has full-time and part-time tracks. It is conducted as a hybrid program of mentoring, networking, learning and practicum experiences. Health and Aging Policy Fellows work across diverse fields of aging, and develop lifelong partnerships and networks. Residential and non-residential tracks are available for individual placement.

Applications are due April 15, 2024. Information sessions will be held via Zoom on March 13 and 27. 

Click here for the call for applications.

Resources on trust building available from Public Health Communications Collaborative

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for clear, simple communication in public health practice. The Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) offers resources on messaging, misinformation, tough questions, and more, for a variety of public health topics. Follow PHCC on LinkedIn for updates.

Climate Action Toolkit available from NACCHO

The National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) has partnered with ecoAmerica to offer climate-focused resources to help local health departments take climate action.

Climate for Health Ambassador Training is available on-demand for local health officials. With this self-paced four-hour training, participants will strengthen their knowledge about climate change, working for climate solutions, and how to speak and advocate on the issue with confidence and success. The training is free for NACCHO members using the code: NACCHOCfHAmbassador.

NYS OMH announces Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program - Round 3

New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has announced round 3 of the Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program (CMHLRP), which will provide a minimum of 500 awards for additional titles working in eligible mental health programs.

For Licensed master social workers (LMSWs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), licensed creative arts therapists (LCATs), licensed psychoanalysts, licensed psychologists, the OMH CMHLRP provides up to $30,000 in loan repayment over a three-year period. 

Applications will be reviewed and accepted until funds are exhausted. More information can be found here.

Congratulations to RBJ Health Care Heroes 

The Rochester Business Journal has selected 47 individuals and organizations as 2024 Health Care Heroes recipients. Congratulations to all who have been recognized for their service to our communities. Andrew J. Post, of HCR Come Care was a program participant in the City of Rochester Home Health Aide Training Program overseen by FLPPS. Congratulations, Andrew!

Older Adults and Opioids Webinar Series is underway

The Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center and the Western NY Rural Area Health Education Center are offering their 2024 Older Adults and Opioids Webinar Series. One continuing education credit per session is available for social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy and mental health practitioners. All sessions are free and will be held on Zoom from noon - 1 p.m. on the following dates:

• February 15 - Perceptions of Substance Use with Older Adults
• March 15 - Opioid Use Disorder in Older Adults 
• April 23 - Medical Marijuana and Older Adults 
• May TBD - Aging, the Opioid Epidemic, and Care Considerations for Native Communities 
• June 14 - Opioid Overdose Prevention - Narcan Training (with free Narcan kit) 

Click here to register.

Virtual dementia education series for health care professionals is underway

The Alzheimer's Association Chapters of New York State and the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center are again offering their virtual dementia education series for health care providers. Click the links in the session names below to register:

• February 8 at noon - Music Therapy & Dementia
• March 6 at noon - Behavioral Disturbances in Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Research & Treatment
• April 16 at noon - Intervening Early: Using Public Health to Ensure Dementia Early Detection & Diagnosis
• May 7 at noon - Family Dynamics in Alzheimer’s & Dementia

IHI to host online course to promote joy in work

Starting in March 2024, The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is hosting "Creating Workforce Joy and Well-Being," a 12-week program that will cover practical approaches to address burnout and promote overall well-being among healthcare professionals. The program will explore resilience building, effective team collaboration, work-life integration, and the importance of patient-centered care.

Click here to learn more about the course, including the training schedule and fees. A free informational call will be held on February 22 at 10 - 11 a.m.

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. 
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