March 2024 Work Force Newsletter

Health Care

Workforce Updates

March 2024

Message from FLPPS/Common Ground Health Regional Consortium on Health Care Workforce

We wish to thank Kellie Murphy and Owen Donovan of New York State Education Department, and over 80 statewide participants for a productive discussion at the February 29 Consortium meeting. 

The meeting recording and minutes are now available on our website.

We look forward to continued community conversation, input collection and collaboration between partners and New York State.

Applications are open for State University of New York (SUNY)/Office of Mental Health (OMH) Scholarship Pipeline Program

The Office of Mental Health, in partnership with the SUNY Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and SUNY schools, have created the SUNY/OMH Mental Health Scholarship Pipeline Program, to attract, retain, and graduate students trained in the various mental health professions and who demonstrate the potential to positively affect the quality of mental health care for all New York State residents, with a focus on service to those individuals who may have historically lacked quality mental health care.

Program Components:

• Scholarships for up to 3 years
• Paid internships with funds for travel, if needed
• Professional/Career Development Workshops
• Advising and mentoring
• Fee waivers for students applying to professional programs
• Reimbursement for travel and presentations at professional conferences

Apply Today. Application deadline: March 21, 2024. 

NYSDOH shares update on 1115 Waiver and workforce investments

New York State Department of Health’s 1115 Waiver Amendment was approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in January. The transformative waiver amendment focuses on health equity, health-related social needs, and workforce to improve the health of Medicaid beneficiaries.

Workforce investments under the waiver include two statewide initiatives: Student Loan Repayment for Qualified Providers, and Career Pathways Training (CPT) programs. The aim of these two programs is to address shortages in qualified providers serving Medicaid members.

On February 21, NYSDOH hosted an informational webinar. Click here to view the recording, and to access the slides.

Visit fingerlakes1115waiver.org to get the latest information on the approved waiver.

Join a regional discussion about health care career pathways in Western NY

On March 7 at 3:30 p.m., there will be an informational session about the Institute for Career Advancement in Medicine (ICAM), a health care workforce development program being supported by the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York. ICAM was launched as a pilot in the North Country and Adirondack region in 2023 and could impact the health care workforce in WNY by providing infrastructure, support and education. 

This initiative will build on existing workforce programs by creating a hub for students, career seekers, healthcare providers, and educational organizations. Join this virtual convening to learn more about ICAM, share your perspective on WNY's health workforce needs, and discuss how the region can better collaborate to address the workforce crisis. 

Click here to register.

Please contact Jason Fulkerson for more information, jfulkerson@r-ahec.org

National Academies to host public workshop on health professions education admissions

The National Academies Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education will host a hybrid public workshop series exploring drivers and influences on health professional education admissions processes. Speakers will consider the use of admissions for ensuring a sustainable, high-quality workforce that is adequate in numbers, reflects the population being served, and is equitably distributed. 

• Pre-Workshop Session - Guiding the Applicant: Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 10:30 a.m. - noon.
• Day 1 Hybrid Workshop - The Admissions Process: Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 4 - 6 p.m.
• Day 2 Hybrid Workshop - The Post-Admissions Process: Thursday, March 28, 2024, 9 a.m. - noon.

Click here to register.

ColoRise Lunch and Learn focuses on women who advocate for DEI

On March 14 at 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Eleversity will celebrate National Women's History Month with “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand the need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions. What does this theme truly mean for Women of Color who are often held to different expectations and spoken and unspoken rules in the workplace? Join this session for a learning opportunity with women from diverse industries and backgrounds.

Click here to register.

Alzheimer's Association accepting grant applications to enhance respite care

The Alzheimer’s Association is accepting applications for the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI) Grant. The CDRI is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to making respite service providers (adult day centers, in-home services, innovative models) more dementia-capable and provide the best person-centered care possible. 

Beginning in June 2024, the CDRI will provide a maximum of 20 grants totaling $4 million annually for the next five years to respite providers. Providers can learn more and apply at alz.org/CDRI. Applications are due on May 1.

An informational webinar will be held on March 14 at 1:00 p.m.

Call for workshops open for Eleversity's Women of Color Summit

The 2024 Women of Color Summit theme is R. I. S. E – “Recognizing Our Influence, Success and Essence: Why We Matter.” This summit will provide an uplifting environment for, by and about Women of Color that promotes equity, education, and professional development. The summit focuses on and prioritizes the voices and experiences of women and college students who identify as Women of Color.

Workshop proposals are due March 15.

Save the dates: The Summit will be held on June 5 and 6 in-person, and July 18 and 25 virtually.

NYS Area Health Education Center presents health equity series with continuing education credits

Colors of Success webinar to discuss accessibility in the workforce

On March 28 at 11 a.m. - noon, Greater Rochester Chamber's Colors of Success DEI webinar will feature Christina Eisenberg, Director of Employment Equity at Starbridge, who will discuss improving access in the workforce for individuals with disabilities. 

This webinar will explore the following topics: 

• The correlation between disability inclusion and your return on investment (ROI)
• A more comprehensive analysis of the business case for disability inclusion
• Effective strategies and best practices to enhance accessibility for both current and potential employees with disabilities.

Click here to register.

Rochester Business Journal to host DEI summit

The Rochester Business Journal will host a virtual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit on March 28 at 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. This year's theme is "The State of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and What it Means for Business."

Click here to purchase tickets and to review the agenda.

Western NY Rural AHEC offers teen-led professional development for providers

SUNY Corning offers nonprofit leadership training

SUNY Corning Community College is offering its Non-Profit Leadership Program, designed for mid-managers who aspire to become CEOs. This program addresses issues relevant to nonprofit governance including boards, finances, strategic planning, branding, fundraising and sustainability.

Businesses in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben interested in seeking funding to send promising leaders from their organizations to this training should contact CSS Workforce NY at 607-937-8337.

Virtual sessions will be held on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. - noon, April 11 - June 20, 2024.

Click here to register.

Workforce shortage hub available from Center for Health Workforce Studies

The Center for Health Workforce Studies has made available a new public portal that provides information and guidance to health care providers to improve recruitment and increase access to health services in underserved areas. The Hub for Health Workforce Shortages provides information on:

• Health Professional Shortage Designations, including Health Professional Shortage Areas, Medically Underserved Areas or Populations, and Facility Designations. 
• Service-Obligated Programs, which provide incentives to health professionals such as scholarships or loan repayment in exchange for obligated service in federal or state designated shortage areas or facilities.

Free edX training and certifications offered by Verizon Skill Forward

Through Verizon Skill Forward, learners receive one year of free access to edX’s self-paced, expert-led online programs — strategically curated to align with in-demand roles and essential skills. Time to complete a certification varies by program, but some certifications can be earned in as little as a month. Spanish-language programs are also available.

Certificates are available in: Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Leadership and Project Management.

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.

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:

• 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:

• 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

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