Healthcare Regional Skills Alliance of Northwest Michigan

Grant Amount: $88,000

Grant Year:  2004

Service Region: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford Counties

Convener: Northwest Michigan Council of Governments

Primary Partners: Employers (40), Educational (12), Unions/Trade Associations (1), MWA (1), Faith/Community Based (2), Economic Development (6), and Other (9)

Industry Focus:  Health Care

Occupational Focus:  Home Health Aides, Nurse Aides, Homemaker and & Respite Care Workers, Competency-Evaluated Nurse Aides (CENA) Training, LPNs, RNs, Technical Specialties

Summary: The MiRSA strives to (1) increase the pool of qualified, entry-level health care workers; (2) increase the number of students entering secondary and postsecondary health occupation programs; (3) address retention and career ladder movement of people within the health care industry; (4) expand training and professional development opportunities in the various health care occupations; 5) build existing partnerships for a more comprehensive, sustainable system; and (6) affect systemic and cultural change for the health care industry.  The partnership includes 73 private and public organizations.

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.

West Central Michigan Health Care MiRSA

Grant Amount:  $88,000

Grant Year: 2004

Service Region: Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Osceola, Oceana, and Ottawa Counties

Co-Conveners: Muskegon / Oceana Consortium, Ottawa County Michigan Works!  Community Action Agency, Central Area Michigan Works! Consortium, Michigan Works! West Central, West Michigan Alliance for Health, and Area Community Services Employment and Training Council (ACSET)

Primary Partners: Employers (20), Educational (6), Unions/Trade Associations (1), MWA (5), Faith/Community Based (1), Economic Development (5), Other (2)

Industry Focus:  Health Care

Occupational Focus:  Certified Nurse's Aides, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, Medical Record Clerks, Unit Clerks, Registered Health Information Technicians, Registered Health Information Administrators

Summary:  The MiRSA focuses on the needs of the local health care industry in the areas of nursing and allied health occupations.  Career ladders and career laterals will be designed and effectively marketed to assist in the recruitment, training, and retention of a qualified health care workforce.