November 9, 2004
SUBJECT: Authorization for NOVA to Apply for Funding from the US Department of Labor for an Allied Health Training Initiative in an Amount Not to Exceed $1 Million
REPORT IN BRIEF
The US Department of Labor (DOL) has announced new funding for innovative initiatives in high job growth occupations in the health care and bioscience fields. Grants will be awarded in the amount up to $1 million for programs that target a combination of areas that include recruitment and retention, skill development for entry level and incumbent workers, building capacity of education providers, and sustainability and infrastructure leadership. Industry is expected to play an important pivotal role in these new endeavors.
At the October 20, 2004 meeting, the NOVA Workforce Board Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the full Workforce Board, approved the submission of a funding application to DOL for up to $1 million to launch a new Allied Health Training Initiative to train individuals in the high growth allied health occupations.
It is recommended that the Sunnyvale City Council concur with the NOVA Workforce Board and authorize staff to submit an application to DOL for funding in an amount not to exceed $1 million to support the Allied Health Training Initiative.
BACKGROUND
This community is facing a large and growing gap in funding for adult training to get people back to work and on a career path leading to self-sufficiency. This community is also facing a gap in its capacity to provide such training, should the necessary funding become available. The greatest impact has been felt in the high demand fields such as allied health, where the need for skilled healthcare professionals is well documented and has far surpassed the available workforce. For example, California ranks last (50) with the least amount of Registered Nurses (RNs) per 100,000 population; several years ago California placed 43rd. To keep pace with the demand for healthcare services, by the year 2006 California will need to add at least 60,000 nurses statewide, with Santa Clara County needing to add 1,300.
In the spring of 2004, a consortium of community colleges representing Santa Clara and San Mateo counties and the Workforce Boards representing NOVA (North Valley), San Jose and San Mateo County convened to discuss current workforce trends, gaps and shortages. Although there are currently many high demand fields, the allied health field represents an area that is in greatest demand, has one of the largest documented workforce gaps with significant challenges to success, and if not addressed in the very near future has serious consequences not only to the Valley’s economy but to the health and well-being of its residents. As such, the Consortium recommended focusing on the allied health field for a new training initiative.
Since that initial meeting last spring, the Consortium has met several times and been expanded to include the Hospital Council, Kaiser Permanente, NASA Ames Research Center and the county hospitals in San Mateo and Santa Clara County to develop the conceptual framework for this new Allied Health Training Initiative.
EXISTING POLICY
The proposed activities are consistent with the City of Sunnyvale's Socio-Economic Goal 5.1F: Provide job training and employment services within constraints of operative, federal regulations and available federal funding, to address the locally-determined employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged residents and others with special needs.
DISCUSSION
The US Department of Labor recently announced the availability of funds for high job growth occupations in the health care and bioscience fields. At the October 20, 2004 meeting, the NOVA Workforce Board Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the full Workforce Board, approved the submission of a funding application for a new Allied Health Training Initiative. Staff is recommending the Sunnyvale City Council concur with the NOVA Workforce Board and approve the submission of a grant application to DOL for up to $1 million for the Allied Health Training Initiative.
The DOL application will target recruitment and retention, skill development for entry level and incumbent workers, building capacity of education providers, and sustainability and infrastructure leadership. It is expected that the funding application will include some combination of the following elements:
- Development of extensive coursework/curriculum leading to Board certification in one or more of four priority allied health occupations (Nursing, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory Technicians, and Pharmacy Technicians) with Nursing the leading candidate, for newly entering workers and continuing education curriculum for incumbent workers;
- Establishment of “health care navigator” positions in each of the three one-stop workforce investment systems to provide guidance and resources for those interested in entering the allied health fields;
- Use of innovative technology to enhance hospital/community college capability to provide education and training through the establishment of “Sim Man” technology lab;
- Creation of a faculty registry; Creation of a pool of mentors;
- Creation of a regional collaborative governance structure that will provide future and ongoing leadership around the development of the health care workforce in Silicon Valley (community colleges, workforce investment boards, and hospitals in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties);
- Establish a lead staff position that will champion the development of this collaborative and the launch of this initiative;
- Use of innovative regional teaching/training facility leased through the NASA Ames Research Center to expand the capacity of training providers;
- Relevant and timely labor market research in the allied health occupations.
The curriculum design for this new Allied Health Training Initiative would be driven by industry demand and encourage adaptable learning methods that include the use of technology applications/simulations, more choice and flexibility, and innovative approaches to accountability. In addition, classes would be organized around where/how/when adults are able to learn and be offered based on demand, rather than the traditional approach of offering classes at the beginning of each quarter/semester and then canceling them if there is insufficient enrollment. The healthcare industry would play an important role in the specific design, development, resourcing and evaluation of training curriculum.
State-of-the-art, advanced technology will represent the cornerstone of this new Allied Health Training Initiative. For example, this project would explore the creation of a Human Patient Simulation Lab that would be an invaluable resource accessible to the region’s education and healthcare institutions. Simulation technology is a proven teaching method in a variety of disciplines and is expected to be successful not only in increasing the skill-sets of student nurses but in the continuing education and retention of practicing nurses. Although four-year colleges and universities have been using this form of teaching method for years, the cost of installing this technology at the community college level has been prohibitive. However, as a regional resource, this technology will be cost-effective, especially when it can potentially account for approximately 25% of student nursing clinical training.
This innovative Initiative requires a new and different approach to education and training. Given the mission and direction of the NASA Ames Research Center in repositioning itself as an innovative place of learning, as evidenced by recent alliances with Carnegie Mellon, De Anza College, San Jose State University and UC Santa Cruz, it would be an excellent choice to provide the site for this new educational facility. In addition, this facility will have the capability to offer more advanced technology applications such as teaching simulations (mentioned above), which can then be accessed by the region’s community colleges for their own healthcare students—a significant value-add for the entire education and training community. The site is also located within close proximity to all major freeways and public transit corridors.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact to the City because funds received will offset program expenditures.
CONCLUSION
The US Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the availability of funding for high job growth initiatives in the health care field. NOVA has been working in collaboration with the community colleges and Workforce Investment Boards in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, the Hospital Council, Kaiser Permanente, the county hospitals in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, and NASA Ames Research Center to develop a conceptual framework for training individuals in the high growth allied health occupations, a growing need in this community, and to launch a new Allied Health Training Initiative. The NOVA Workforce Board Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the NOVA Workforce Board, has approved submission of a funding application to DOL for this new Allied Health Training Initiative in an amount not to exceed $1 Million. It is recommended that the Sunnyvale City Council concur with the NOVA Workforce Board and authorize staff to submit this funding application to DOL.
PUBLIC CONTACT
1. Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page and the availability of the report in the Library and City Clerk's Office.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Council approves submission of a proposal to the US Department of Labor for funding for an Allied Health Training Initiative in an amount not to exceed $1 million.
2. Council rejects submission of the proposal to the US Department of Labor.
3. Other action as determined by Council.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by staff that the Sunnyvale City Council, on behalf of the NOVA seven-city consortium, concur with the decision of the NOVA Workforce Board and adopt Alternative 1: Council approves submission of a proposal to the United States Department of Labor for funding for an Allied Health Training Initiative in an amount not to exceed $1 million. It is further recommended that, should the grant be awarded, the City Manager or her designee be authorized to execute the necessary grant agreement relative to this grant.
Reviewed by:
Michael J. Curran, Director
Department of Employment Development
Prepared by: Eileen Stanly,
Management Analyst
Approved by:
Amy Chan