November 2020 Work Force Newsletter

Health Care

Workforce Updates

November 2020

Health Care Workforce Survey is open!

Common Ground Health, in partnership with Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS), and the Central and Western NY Area Health Education Centers, is assessing the skills and training needs of the health care workforce. The Health Care Workforce Survey is now live and will be open for the rest of November. 

We are seeking input from a broad range of health care partners across 27 counties. Responses to this survey are confidential and can not be traced back to the respondent or organization.

Click here to complete the survey on behalf of your organization.

If you have any questions about the survey or are interested in receiving the final report next year, please email Melissa Pennise.

Finger Lakes Workforce Consortium updates

We are pleased to announce the new co-chairs of the Finger Lakes Health Care Workforce Consortium: 

• Adrian Hale, senior manager of talent strategy, workforce development, & education initiatives at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and
• Dr. Marilyn Dollinger, DNS, FNP, RN, professor and executive associate dean of the Wegmans School of Nursing at St. John Fisher College

Their unique experience brings a combination of business, economic development, education, health care and advocacy, making us well poised to address the health care workforce challenges ahead.

The Finger Lakes Health Care Workforce Consortium met virtually on October 14, 2020. Members reviewed the Consortium Framework that guides current initiatives.

The Consortium learned of a recent MCC needs assessment highlighting the region's highest demand and annual projected openings in three areas:

1. Healthcare Support: Home Health Aides (HHA) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)
2. Healthcare Practitioner Tech: Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
3. Community Services: Social and Human Services Assistants and Child, Family and School Social Workers

A preliminary analysis of NYS American Community Survey data for HHA, CNA and RN suggests diversity is strongest in workers over the age of 34 for CNA and HHA. Of the three, RNs show the least diversity state-wide.

A review of training programs across the region and opportunities for creating a more diverse workforce are under review.

These programs include the Monroe Community College MPower Program. MCC is providing free training to Monroe County residents for work in essential health and medical positions.

Monroe County has committed $550,000 in CARES Act funding to train, educate and provide students with the qualifications to become NYS Certified. This includes students enrolled in Certified Nurse Assistant Training and Development, Home Health Aide programs, and pathways to Licensed Practical Nursing.

The goal is to provide more health care workers for hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory centers and for at-home patients while also providing unemployed or underemployed residents with job opportunities.

Workforce Consortium meetings are open to the public. If you are interested in attending future meetings, please email Olivia Linden.

Virtual mental health first aid trainings 

United Way of Greater Rochester is offering two virtual mental health first aid trainings in January. Training sessions are limited to 20 participants.

• Youth Mental Health First Aid - January 11 and 12; 1:00-3:30 PM - This 7-hour certificate course teaches parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge, or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. 
• Adult Mental Health First Aid - January 25 and 26; 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - This 8-hour certificate course teaches adults how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in adults. The training gives participants the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. This course is appropriate for anyone 18 years and older who wants to learn how to help a person who may be experiencing a mental health related crisis or problem. 

Registration open soon. Click here for more information or email Rika Stoller with questions. 

Influenza vaccination toolkit available

A toolkit is available from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for post-acute and long-term care facilities to promote influenza vaccination coverage among health care personnel. 

The toolkit is available here.

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