Feb. 2, 2024 - As we move forward into 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect on the collaboration that unfolded at Colorado’s Healthcare Workforce Summit in 2023. More than 200 participants joined in person and virtually on Oct. 26 to engage in regional collaboration and identify opportunities to strengthen Colorado’s healthcare workforce.
The day was structured to listen to the barriers and solutions from the perspective of industry leaders across behavioral health, public health, direct care, and hospitals, while also gaining perspective on the current education landscape from partners including Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the Colorado Community College System.
The agenda included two work sessions for regional teams to map out current initiatives in their regional ecosystem and identify opportunities for strengthening connections, transitions, and outcomes. Use this link to access the map and select the “view as a visitor” option in the next screen. Please note this map is not a comprehensive list, and illustrates opportunities for growth as we collaborate in our ecosystem.
The second session engaged teams in naming critical pain points and co-creating regional solutions. Solutions that were shared include:
- Innovative staffing models, leaning into crafting shorter shifts for flexibility for retirees/parents.
- Developing a culturally responsive workforce, and developing psychologically safe work environments for a diverse workforce.
- Providing additional opportunities for on/off ramps with education with tools; micro and stackable credentialing.
What’s Next? Engage in Regional Sector Partnerships
Sector partnerships are partnerships of business leaders, from the same industry and in a shared labor market region, who work with education, workforce development, economic development, and community organizations to address the workforce and other competitiveness needs of their industry.
Get involved today:
- Northern Colorado Health Sector: Contact Nikki Lucas (nikki@psc.biz)
- Boulder Area Healthcare: Contact Olivia Beckstead (olivia.beckstead@boulderchamber.com)
- Southern Colorado Regional Healthcare Sector Partnership: Contact Petra Randol (petrarandol@elpasoco.com)
- South Central Health & Wellness: Contact Diana Armstrong (armstrong@fedc.com)
- San Luis Valley Health Partnership: Contact Harvey Greenwood (harvey.greenwood@state.co.us)
- Interested in forming a sector partnership in your region? Contact Bobbie Wolfe (bobbie.wolfe@state.co.us)
New Opportunities for Action
- ColoradoFWD: If you are a direct care or behavioral health employer facing recruitment and retention challenges, consider participating in ColoradoFWD. This 18-month demonstration project will test the use of skills-based practices and Learning and Employment Records (LERs) to address the critical talent shortages in direct care and behavioral health in Colorado and support learners and workers to gain more control over their data. Complete this interest form to receive project updates and learn how you can get involved.
- Workforce Resilience Program Grant: A statewide grant program to support rural individuals negatively affected by Covid-19 to recover their career sustainability, profitability, and longevity.
- Engage with the Direct Care Workforce Collaborative
- Listen to Colorado Health Institute’s January Webinar: highlighting Colorado’s first Public Health Workforce Gaps and Needs Assessment.