Presented in this July E-blast issue: The framework, vision, mission, and core expectations of Washington’s Centers of Excellence will be explained.

This edition also includes an overview of some of the major organizations that are linked to health care education programs and postsecondary education policy.

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››Washington's Center's of Excellence

Washington’s State Board for Community and Technical Colleges has awarded 11 flagship college institutions the designation as a ‘Center of Excellence’.  These Centers serve a critical role in helping to build the framework necessary for a thriving economy through enhancing economic and workforce development initiatives to meet the current and future needs of the industries that are crucial to the state’s economic vitality.

Washington’s Centers help sustain Washington State’s business and industry’s competitive advantage through statewide leadership.  In addition, each COE serves as the statewide liaisons to business, industry, labor and the state’s educational systems for the purpose of creating a highly skilled and readily available workforce critical to the success of the industries driving the state’s economy.

Click Here to see which colleges were selected

 

The Allied Health Center of Excellence, located at the Yakima Valley Community College, is dedicated to addressing Washington State's healthcare workforce needs of today and tomorrow.

 

BACKGROUND

During late 2008, Center Directors met and crafted a common vision, mission and set of core expectations for the operation of all Centers operated by the Washington community and technical college system.  These were developed broadly to clarify the role and responsibility of all Centers operating within this system and larger workforce and economic development systems operating throughout the state. 

Operational goals were defined in order to assist the Center Directors in the development of a consistent “package of CoE services” available to the larger workforce and economic development systems and to ensure operational alignment across the community and technical college system.  

Click Here to view/print the CoE's Mission, Vision, and Expectations. 

New! CoE VISION:
Washington shall become a national model in developing partnerships among business, industry and education for the purpose of enhancing economic and workforce development initiatives to meet the current and future needs of the industries critical to the state’s economic vitality.

New! CoE MISSION:
Washington’s Centers of Excellence shall serve as the statewide liaisons to business, industry, labor and the state’s educational systems for the purpose of creating a highly skilled and readily available workforce critical to the success of the industries driving the state’s economy and supporting Washington families.

New! CORE EXPECTATIONS:

• Ensure the efficient use of state resources for workforce development activities and initiatives by fostering a culture of cooperation within the Community & Technical College system.
• Provide leadership by representing the Washington Community & Technical College system, local business and industry in state, national and international industry specific forums, activities and economic development initiatives.
• Serve as a resource for the creation and sharing of model curricula, educational pathways, degree/certificate programs, industry specific skill standards and best practices.
• Demonstrate excellence in communication and collaboration while fostering synergistic interconnectedness of Washington’s economic, workforce development and education systems.
• Ensure the long-term sustainability of the Center of Excellence.

To learn more about the Centers of Excellence, visit: The State Board for Community & Technical Colleges  or contact Amy Smith-Rubeck at 360-704-4339.

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››Washington's State Board for Community & Technical Colleges

Creating Opportunities for Washington’s Future

Vision:

Washington’s State Board for Community and Technical Colleges build strong communities, individuals and families, and achieve greater global competitiveness and prosperity for the state and its economy by raising the knowledge and skills of the state’s residents.

Click Here to visit the SBCTC website

 

Workforce & Economic Development Division Mission:

• To provide Washington’s community and technical colleges with the tools that they need to give access to all of Washington’s residents to attain family wage jobs and adapt to future career requirements in Washington’s changing economy.
• To build partnerships with Washington business and labor in order to build a world-class education and training system that makes every region of our state competitive in the world economy.
• To create a system of lifelong learning that allows students to seamlessly connect learning in high school, in basic skills and ESL programs and learning on the job to professional and technical programs in colleges and learning upgrades over their lifetime.

Click Here for more information

 

To learn more about the SBCTC Workforce & Economic Development Division, visit: The State Board for Community & Technical Colleges  or contact Pat Ward at 360-704-4342.

 

 

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››The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 education in Washington state. Led by State School Superintendent Randy Dorn, OSPI works with the state’s 295 school districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.

Division: Career & Technical Education

Preparing Students for Future Careers

Vision

It is the vision of the Career and Technical Education unit to provide the statewide leadership, support and service to develop and implement high quality, consistent and relevant CTE programs as essential components of educational and career pathways, with the goal of empowering each student to live, learn and work as a productive citizen in a global society.

Click Here to learn about the CTE program.

 

Cluster/Pathway:  Health Sciences

The Health Science pathway is a planned program of courses with academic and lab science skills that focus on medicine, science and health care. The Health Science programs teach high academic standards, skills, and leadership to prepare students for post-secondary education and a highly rewarding career in the health care realm.

Click Here for more information

 

To learn more about OSPI Career & Technical Education division, visit:  OSPI or  contact Health Science Pathway Director Robyn Buck at: : robyn.buck@k12.wa.us

 

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››Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board

The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) is a Governor-appointed body representing a partnership of 12 members from business, labor, and government. The Workforce Board advises the Governor on workforce development policy, ensures that the state’s workforce preparation services and programs work together.

Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force

In 2003, the Legislature passed Engrossed Senate House Bill 1852 directing the Workforce Board to continue convening the Health Care Personnel ShortageTask Force, to monitor progress on the state plan and to the Legislature annually.

The goal of the Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force is to address the severe current and projected shortages of health care personnel in Washington State. The Task Force has 20 members, representing business, labor, education, and government. The Task Force outlines and regularly updates a strategic plan with actions for the Legislature, state and local agencies, educators, labor, health care industry  employers, and workers should take to close the gap.

Click Here for more information on the responsibilities and deliverable outcomes of the task force.

To learn more about theWorkforce Board or the Task Force, visit: WTECB or contact M. Thompson at: wtecb@wtb.wa.gov

 

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››WA State Department of Commerce
(formerly Community, Trade and Economic Development {CTED})

The WA State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) is the lead agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable communities and economic vitality in our state.

Our programs support state and local efforts to:

• attract, retain and expand business activities
• provide services for managing growth and energy resources
• increase international trade and tourism
• develop affordable housing, community facilities and public infrastructure
• provide support services for vulnerable populations to assist them in times of crisis and help them achieve self-sufficiency

Main Commerce Offices:

Ali Raad Building - 128-10th Avenue SW , PO Box 42525 , Olympia, WA 98504-2525

Phone: (360) 725-4000             Website: www.commerce.wa.gov

 

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›› Workforce Development Council

The network of Workforce Development Councils throughout the state brings all of the major players in every community together to build the most talented workforce in the global economy, right here in Washington.

The WDCs provide workforce development planning and promote coordination between education, training and employment efforts in their communities. 

Washington’s Workforce Development Councils:

Olympic | Pacific Mountain | Northwest | Snohomish County | Seattle-King County | Pierce County | Southwest | North Central | South Central |Eastern Washington Partnership | Benton-Franklin | Spokane

Click here to view the regional WDC Map and Contacts

 

Washington Workforce Association

Address: 601 Main Street Suite 403 Vancouver, WA 98660

Phone: (360) 693-6362            Fax: (360) 693-6371          

Website: http://www.washingtonworkforce.org/home/index.php

 

Regional Health Skills Panels (as part of each WDC) 

There are health skills panels in each of the state’s 12 workforce development areas, and each includes education providers, health care employers, and labor representatives.

In addition to advancing efforts to increase educational capacity in local areas, all 12 skill panels have implemented recruitment and retention strategies. These include:

• financial aid for new and incumbent workers
• summer camps and work-based learning in health care for youth
• programs to connect employment service staff
• health care employers, and potential personnel
• marketing campaigns to raise awareness of opportunities in health care and improve the image of health professions
• specialized training and mentorship
• transitions for military personnel
  

Click here to view regional Health Skills Panel contacts.

 

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›› Economic Development Council

Economic development is fundamentally about a better quality of life for Washingtonians. This is the underlying mission of economic developers who work every day to expand jobs, investment and community vitality in our state. Our goal at WEDA is to support the many public and private economic developers whose mission is to strengthen Washington’s economy and invigorate its quality of life.

Click here to view the regional EDC contacts resource page

Address: WEDA, PO Box 1936 Tacoma, WA 98401

Phone: 253-620-6528           Fax: 253-620-6585

E-mail: info@wedaonline.org    Website: www.wedaonline.org

 

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››The Health Disparities Council

 

 

The Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities

The Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities (the Health Disparities Council) was established by the Legislature in 2006 when it passed, and the Governor signed, Substitute Senate Bill 6197.

To view the entire website click here

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The Health Disparities Council is charged with the following tasks:

• Action plan: By 2012, create a state action plan for eliminating health disparities by race/ethnicity and gender in Washington State. The Council's work plan and timeline to develop the action plan is available.
• Advisory committees: To help with its work, the Council is required to establish advisory committees to address specific issues. The Council's advisory committee charter is available.
• Language barriers: The Council must--after holding hearings and conducting research--issue recommendations for improving the availability of culturally appropriate health literature and interpretive services within public and private health-related agencies.
• Communication: The Council is charged with promoting communication among state agencies and between state agencies and communities of color, the public sector and the private sector to address health disparities.
• Information gathering:Through public hearings, inquiries, studies, and other efforts at information gathering, the Council will work to understand how the actions of state government ameliorate or contribute to health disparities.
• Health impact reviews: Collaborate with the State Board of Health in the development of health impact reviews requested by the Governor or the Legislature.
• Regular updates: The Council must update the Governor

To learn more about the Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities , visit:  HealthEquity.wa.gov

 

Washington State Board of Health / Health Disparities Council

Address: PO Box 47990      Olympia, Washington 98504-7890

Phone: (360) 236-4100        Website: http://healthequity.wa.gov/default.htm      Email:  sboh@doh.wa.gov

 

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››Washington State Department of Health

Working for a Safer and Healthier Washington

The Department of Health works with its federal, state and local partners to help people in Washington stay healthier and safer. Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide education to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies.

• Essential programs for improving health
  Helping prevent illness is a cornerstone of public health. We work to improve health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, and newborn screening for prenatal disease programs.
• Information that works
  The Washington State Department of Health works with many partners to provide educational and training programs as well as health and safety information to help people make healthy choices.

Working to protect you and your family every day

By licensing health care professionals, investigating disease outbreaks and preparing for emergencies, we help ensure a safer and healthier Washington.

As an office, we:

• Regulate 7,000 health care facilities, organizations, and programs.
• Regulate more than 320,000 practitioners in 70 health professions.
• Issue over 2,000 orders to ensure providers practice safely or don't practice at all.
• Support the work of 12 boards, 2 commissions, and 8 advisory committees consisting of 166 members.

Services we provide for

• Health care facilities, organizations, and programs.
• Health Professions.
• Certificate of Need.
• Construction Review Services.
• Rule Making.
• Impaired Practitioner Programs.

 

WA State Department of Health

Address: PO BOX 47890      Olympia, Washington 98504-7890

Phone: (360) 236-4501   

Website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/

 

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››The Health Work Force Institute

In response to the burgeoning heath care personnel crisis, the Washington State Hospital Association founded the Health Work Force Institute as a non-profit affiliate in 2004. The Institute is chartered to look past economic, educational, and regulatory boundaries to develop, test, and launch the most promising catalysts to increase the supply of skilled health care workers.

HWFI’s strategies focus on increasing capacity of the state’s colleges and universities to train people, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to enter a health profession. Improving our health care system, increasing its diversity, and bolstering our economy — this is the work of the Health Work Force Institute.

The Work of the Institute Focuses on Four Areas:

1. Research: accurately describe industry needs and project workforce demand into the future
   
2. Capacity: increase the supply and competence of health industry workers
3. Diversity: increase diversity and youth participation in the health work force to increase economic opportunities and decrease health disparities.
4. Innovation: increase industry productivity and deliver improved quality, access and value to patients, employees, employers, and payers.

Click Here for more information about the Health Work Force Institute.

 

To learn more about the WSHA/ HWFI , visit:  HWFI or  contact Executive Coordinator Laura D'Aleo at: laurad@wsha.org

 

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››Washington Center for Nursing

Mission Statement

Our Mission: 

To contribute to the health and wellness of Washington State residents by ensuring that there is an adequate nursing workforce to meet the current and the future healthcare needs of the citizens of Washington State.

Our Strategies:

1. Image: Promoting an image of nursing as a desirable career for all segments of our society.  Reaching out to K-12 students to provide information about nursing, supporting adults who seek a second career in nursing, using multiple channels of communication about nursing, and raising funds for undergraduate and graduate education.
2. Education: Ensuring the implementation of Master Plan for Nursing Education in WA State late in 2008. Supporting increased funding for more "slots" in nursing education programs, particularly for underrepresented students.  Identifying and monitoring the "Applicant Pool" for WA's nursing programs.  Delivering leadership education & development to nurses at all levels.
3. Data: Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating reliable data on the nursing workforce supply, demand, projections, and distribution in WA.  Sharing nurse recruitment and retention strategies that have been successful in WA and other states.  Documenting the positive impact nurses make on the quality of healthcare, healthcare outcomes, and healthcare finance.
4. Partner: Partnering with other stakeholders across WA that are concerned about nursing workforce issues, to make the best use of our human and financial resources.

To learn more about the Washington Center for Nursing, visit: WCN - http://www.wacenterfornursing.org or contact Executive Director, Linda Tieman at lindat@wcnnursing.org

 

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››Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

Western Washington AHEC

The Western Washington Area Health Education Center works to assure equity of and access to health care for underserved rural and urban populations in western Washington.

This mission is accomplished through the following services:

• Planning for tomorrow's providers through recruitment of students into health professions schools and training programs
• Providing community-based education and training opportunities for health profession students
• Developing healthy community-based service delivery systems through technical assistance programs
• Creating learning opportunities for providers in underserved communities
• Forming community/academic linkages which respond to community-identified health care needs
• Advocating for public policy that addresses the needs of rural and underserved communities

WWAHEC Values

• Create a strong health care delivery system. This requires a continuum of activities. The pipeline involves recruiting students into health professions; exposure to practice opportunities through rural and urban clinical rotations and clerkships; developing healthy community health services delivery systems which are able to attract and retain providers; and supporting providers in their delivery settings through continuing education activities, professionals linkages and community-academic linkages.
• Develop health care professionals with interdisciplinary and multicultural experiences, and expectations to bridge the gaps in the health care team.
• Train providers together to lead to increased understanding, collaborative relationships, better utilization of personnel and ultimately will contain health care costs.
• Promote cross-training which maximizes human potential for a health care team and delivers the best service at the best cost.
• Achieve equitable health care access for both rural and urban populations.

To learn more about the Western Washington AHEC, visit: WWAHEC or contact Laurie Wylie at laurie@wwahec.org.

Address:  WWAHEC   2033 6th Avenue, Suite 310,   Seattle, WA 98121  

Phone: 206-441-7137              Website: http://www.wwahec.org

 

Eastern Washington AHEC

Mission:

To promote health and wellness for underserved and at-risk populations through research, education, and community development.

AHEC brochure

Research & Evaluation:

A primary focus of AHEC in eastern Washington is research and evaluation for area health and wellness programs. An outreach unit of the health science programs at WSU Spokane, AHEC faculty and staff conduct research to:

• foster long-term success in early learning and K–12 education
• evaluate mental and behavioral programs
• build understanding of the lasting effects of traumatic childhood experiences

Community Development & Capacity Building:

AHEC is actively involved in helping area communities develop their capacity to provide health services to their residents—especially those who are underserved and/or at risk. AHEC works to:

• build strong rural health systems
• recruit and retain quality health care providers
• work with community leaders and stakeholders to improve existing programs, especially those addressing issues surrounding at-risk youth
  and K–12 capacity-building

Education & Training

Enhancing the professional education opportunities for health care providers is a key mission of AHEC. Specifically, AHEC works to:

• engage health care providers of tomorrow by providing hands-on experiences to students in rural and underserved areas
• offer continuing education for health care providers and educators
• train health and education providers on how to deal with childhood
  trauma and behavioral health challenges

To learn more about the Eastern Washington AHEC, visit:  AHEC of E.WA or contact  Bonnie Wagner at ahec@wsu.edu

Address: AHEC of E. WA  PO Box 1495  Spokane, WA, 99210-1495 

Phone: 509.358.7640

 

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››Labor: SEIU Healthcare / NW Training Partnership

SEIU Healthcare NW Training Partnership

The SEIU Healthcare NW Training Partnership is a new nonprofit located in Washington. Their mission is to train and develop professional long-term care workers to deliver high quality care Beginning January 2010, the Training Partnership is responsible for delivering training to more than 40,000 Home Care Aides statewide..

Current Initiative Work: I-1029

The passing of I-1029 on the November ballot initiated work to develop a statewide curriculum for Home Care Aides. The SEIU Healthcare NW Training Partnership and the College Consortium are currently working on this training curriculum. More Info

2010: Home Care Aide Training (providing training under current standards)

Basic Training up to 34 hours
Continuing Education 10 hours.

2011 Home Care Aide Training (required under I-1029):

Step 1-Basic Training: 75 contact hours in basic topics completed within 120 days of employment; required to continue working as a Home Care Aide; leads to newly established Certified Home Care Aide credential by Department of Health. This replaces the 210 training requirement.

Peer Mentoring: 1 contact hour per week for the first 3 months provided by a trained peer mentor.

Continuing Education: 12 contact hours per year; required to continue working as a Home Care Aide. This replaces the 2010 training requirement.

2011 Home Care Aide Training

Step 2-Advanced Training: 70 contact hours in advanced topics; leads to certificate of apprenticeship as an Advanced Home Care Aide by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Click Here for Updated Information on Home Care Aides in Washington State.

To learn more about the SEIU Healthcare NW Training Partnership visit their website at myseiubenefits.org, blog at myseiubenefits.blogspot.com or contact Executive Director Charissa Raynor at: charissa.raynor@myseiubenefits.org

 

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››United Staff Nurses Union
(United Food & Commercial Workers / United Staff Nurses UnionLocal 141)

UFCW Nurses 141

United Food & Commercial Workers Local 141- United Staff Nurses Union is a statewide union of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals in Washington State.  Local 141 is a young union founded only in 1989 to represent staff nurses and their unique needs in health care.

The local 141 represents small rural and urban hospitals, medical centers, long term care, clinics, occupational health and home health agency nurses. The members of Local 141 have direct input into their future through participation at negotiations and committees at their work site; legislative and political action through lobbying and action days at both the state and federal level and setting standards and policies at the union. 

Union members, staff and other activists work together each time a contract is negotiated to bring about strong contracts recognizing the specific needs of each member group.

To learn more about the UFCW Nurses 141, visit: UFCW141 or contact Irma at irma@ufcw141nurses.org or 253-946-1141.

 

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››Washington State Nursing Association

Founded in 1908, WSNA is the professional organization representing more than 15,000 registered nurses in Washington State. WSNA effectively advocates for the improvement of health standards and availability of quality health care for all people; promotes high standards for the nursing profession; and advances the professional and economic development of nurses.

To view the Washington State Nursing Association’s website click here: http://www.wsna.org/

VISION

The Washington State Nurses Association is the collective and leading voice, authority, and advocate for the nursing profession in the State of Washington.

MISSION

The Washington State Nurses Association provides leadership for the nursing profession and promotes quality health care for consumers through education, advocacy, and influencing health care policy in the State of Washington.

GOALS

• Nurses in Washington State will be informed on issues and trends that affect their professional practice.
• The Washington State Nurses Association will lead the profession wherever decisions are made affecting nursing and health care.
• The Washington State Nurses Association will anticipate and respond to the changing needs of the profession and nurses.
• The Washington State Nurses Association will maintain and strengthen nursing’s role in client advocacy for consumer safety and quality health care.
• The Washington State Nurses Association will be responsive to cultural diversity needs of its members and to the consumers of health care.
• The Washington State Nurses Association will promote the professional development and advance the economic and general welfare of all nurses.

 

Washington State Nursing Association

Address: 575 Andover Park West  Suite 101    Seattle, WA 98188    

Phone: Phone   (206) 575-7979       Email: wsna@wsna.org

 

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