East Central Healthcare Alliance

Grant Amount: $88,000

Grant Year: 2004

Service Region: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Huron, Lapeer, Midland, Sanilac, Saginaw and Tuscola Counties

Convener: Saginaw Midland Bay Michigan Works!

Primary Partners: Employers (16), Educational (12), Unions/Trade Associations (1), MWA (3), Economic Development (6), Other (4)

Industry Focus: Health Care

Occupational Focus: Nurses, Certified Nurse Aides, Clinical Technologists, Phlebotomists, Health-Related Therapists, Medical Transcriptionists, and Billing Specialists

Summary: The MiRSA will implement a series of steps, including the Hospital Council Matrix of Academic Preparedness and the Vision 2020 Career Ladders Project to boost enrollment in health care related training.  Colleges will be encouraged to better align course offerings based on employer occupational demand.  Hospitals and other health care providers will be encouraged to increase clinical opportunities.  The MiRSA has also begun a campaign to encourage the return of those trained in the health professions but who are not currently working in health care related careers.

Note:  In 2007, the East Central Healthcare Alliance received an expansion grant of $90,000. The East Central Healthcare Alliance expanded into five counties to make the region consistent with the boundaries of the Hospital Council of East Central Michigan.  The MiRSA will be expanding the use of their clinical placement calendar and researching ways to retain retiring nurses as teachers.

Michigan Direct Care Worker Readiness Training Program

Grant Amount: $50,000

Grant Year: 2005

Service Region: Statewide

Convener: Michigan Direct Care Workforce Initiative

Primary Partners:Employers (8), Educational (3), Unions/Trade Associations (9), MWA (2), Faith/Community Based (1), Economic Development (0), Other (16)

Industry Focus:  Healthcare

Occupational Focus: Long-Term Care, Certified Nurse Aides, Home Health Aides, and Personal Home Care Aides

Summary: The Michigan Direct Care Workforce Readiness Training Program is focused on increasing retention of the direct care workforce by initially recruiting strong candidates into the field.  This process would include matching skill and aptitude with occupational expectations based upon standards as presented by industry employers and current industry employees.

The Michigan Direct Care Worker Readiness Training Program was designated as a MiRSA just prior to the end of FY 2005.

  Northeast Michigan Healthcare Workforce Alliance

Grant Amount: $85,000

Grant Year:  2004

Service Region: Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon Counties

Convener: North Central Council Michigan Health and Hospital Association

Primary Partners: Employers (6), Educational (8), Unions/Trade Associations (1), MWA (2), Economic Development (2), and Other (1)

Industry Focus:  Health Care

Occupational Focus: Radiography Technicians, Medical Assistants, Surgical Technicians, Respiratory Therapy Technicians, Laboratory Technicians, Pharmacy Technicians

Summary: The alliance uses a two-pronged approach to address the health care workforce needs of the region, and to increase the training and availability of workers in various health care professions that are needed now and in the future.  The two main goals of the alliance are to strive to immediately meet employer and industry-identified priority health care occupation shortages, and in the long term, increase awareness in the community.  Specifically, increasing the awareness of middle and high school students about the wide array of health care professions and the specific role each profession plays will be accomplished through a series of summer health career exploration camps and supportive marketing materials.

Sunrise Side Hospitality Industry Coalition Regional Skills Alliance

Grant Amount: $75,000

Grant Year: 2005

Service Region: Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon Counties

Convener: Michigan's Sunrise Side, Inc.

Primary Partners: Employers (6), Educational (2), MWA (2), Economic Development (3), Other (8)

Industry Focus:  Hospitality, Travel & Tourism

Occupational Focus: Hotel and restaurant workers

Summary:The MiRSA is focused on expanding the employee base for tourism industry job providers in 14 Northeast Michigan Counties.  Training will be provided for those already in the industry and create a career path to encourage those considering employment within the hospitality industry.