The Workforce Development Program at Delaware Technical Community College

The Workforce Development Program at Delaware Technical Community College

Mark T. Brainard, J.D.; Delaware Technical Community College

Not everyone has the financial resources to pursue a four-year degree before entering the workforce, but that doesn’t mean they can’t gain the skills they need for a high-quality career in the health-care field. According to the results of a recent higher education study, more than half of parents surveyed believe college costs do not justify the value of a college education, and less than half agree that U.S. colleges are preparing students well for the workplace. This may be part of the reason community colleges are becoming a more popular choice for students who want to prepare themselves for a career at an affordable price. At Delaware Technical Community College, students can enroll in a degree program, or they can begin with a workforce certification program that will more quickly lead to a job in their field of interest. The College’s Workforce Development and Community Education Division is designed to offer students a fast track to the skills they need to start working in fields like health care, information technology and advanced manufacturing. With these credentials, they can start working, while at the same time pursuing additional credentials to help them advance to the next step on their career path. For example, a student could start by earning a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate, learning how to perform basic nursing skills under the supervision of a licensed nurse in a health-care facility. While working as a CNA, that student could then pursue credentials to become a phlebotomist or patient care technician. By “stacking” credentials in this way, students are able to chart a career path, rather than just finding a job. Students get hands-on training with equipment and high-tech simulation mannequins in a classroom lab so they can participate in simulated experiences that mimic those they would face in an actual patient-care setting. In addition, Delaware Tech is fortunate to have excellent partnerships with the state’s major health care systems and long-term care facilities, which affords students the opportunity to get hands-on experience in actual patient-care settings to help prepare them for the workforce. Many of their instructors have worked in the healthcare field, so they are able to bring their own experiences to the classroom. Another advantage of the College’s workforce development program is that students are able to complete these programs in a matter of months, as opposed to years, which makes a significant difference for a person who doesn’t have the time, resources or desire to enroll in a degree program. And these programs aren’t just helping our students. Their skills are in high demand by local employers. The highest number of job postings listed in the last year in Delaware were for certified nursing assistants, home health aides and phlebotomists. And rates of new employment growth, while slowing over the next five years, will still be robust for the health care industry, with home health aides continuing to generate the most new jobs. Statewide, we expect to see about 460 new jobs for home health aides, and about 275 new openings for both medical assistants and for nursing assistants. Once our students enter the workforce, they often decide that after some experience on the job, they would like to pursue a degree program to help advance their careers. Those students can then return to Delaware Tech to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing or another healthcare program, bringing with them the experience they gained in their workforce development studies, as well as on the job. In addition, those who step away from the workforce for a while could take advantage of an RN Refresher course, which gets students up-to-date on nursing practices today. They can learn about pharmacology, care planning and current trends in health care. Soon, students will have the advantage of a brand-new lab for training at the Health Care Center of Excellence on the Terry Campus in Dover. Thanks to support from the governor’s Delaware Higher Education Economic Development Fund, we will be able to renovate an existing 8,700-square-foot building on our campus to train more than 300 certified allied health technicians for in-demand jobs over the next three years. The new Health Care Center of Excellence will train students in our workforce development programs in state-of-the-art learning spaces to ensure they are well prepared for jobs with our local employers. These skills are increasingly in demand in Delaware, where the state’s 65+ population is expected to increase by roughly

60 percent (from 159,000 in 2015 to an estimated 263,532 by 2050). As Delaware’s population ages, more people will be retiring and leaving the workplace, while at the same time, increasing the demand for health care services. Our new center of excellence will help create a pipeline of skilled workers to both replace an aging workforce and to train new/existing employees. Delawareans might be surprised at the number of health care professionals in our local hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and long-term care facilities who were trained at Delaware Tech. In 2002, when the state was on the brink of a statewide nursing shortage, policy makers invested health funds to expand Delaware Tech’s nursing program. As a result of that investment, there are now approximately 1,000 students in the nursing program pipeline, resulting in over 400 graduates each year statewide. We also train most of the state’s paramedics, surgical technicians, and dental hygienists, to name a few, so if you are accessing health care services in Delaware, it’s likely that you are receiving help from a Delaware Tech graduate. Thanks to our patient care Pathways program, high school juniors and seniors can start earning college credits and certifications for nursing assistant, phlebotomist and patient care assistant. This two-year program began this academic year in three Delaware high schools, and is funded in part by Bloomberg Philanthropies, has about 45 students enrolled from Caesar Rodney, McKean and Woodbridge high schools. Students receive over 600 hours of education and training, including clinical work with local health care partners. At the completion of the program, students will have earned 12 Delaware Tech credits toward an associate degree program at the College. We are proud to be putting our students to work in Delaware’s hospitals, doctor’s offices, home health care and other patient-care facilities. Responding to the demands of our state workforce is our mission as the state’s community college system, and we couldn’t do it without our valued community partners in the health-care industry. For more information on Delaware Tech’s workforce development opportunities in health care, visit https://www.dtcc.edu/continuing-education/workforce-training

A Message of Gratitude COVID-19 has, and continues, to challenge us all. The impacts are precedent setting, and we want to thank and stand in solidarity with our colleagues who are first responders, healthcare providers, healthcare institutions, long-term care facilities, and public health professionals.

From the highest levels ofState leadership, to those providing direct care and service, the Delaware response is evidence-based and evolving based on the experience, expertise and planning of front-line health care institutions and professionals, our state partners, new data, and directives from the CDC and other components ofthe Federal Government.

Please join us in taking a moment to thank those who are working tirelessly on behalfofthe well-being ofall Delawareans.

@delamed1 Delamed.org @ delawarehealth1 deha.org @dhsa1 dhsa.org

@MedicalSocietyofDelaware medsocdel.org

Academy/DPHA Leadership for National Public Health Week during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The American Public Health Association’s National Public Health Week was April 6 th to the 12 th . As Delaware’s affiliate to the American Public Health Association we produced and shared with APHA our own NPHW COVID-19 talking points. The

Academy/DPHA is pleased to report that these were adopted by APHA and became a key part of their national strategy. This was the 25 th anniversary of NPHW, and it occurred during a time when public health has been in the spot for a number of weeks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MONDAY: MENTAL HEALTH — advocate for and promote emotional well-being COVID-19 is causing heightened levels of stress. In particular, isolation and quarantine can be highly stressful. As can separation from loved ones, especially those detained off-shore or in other countries. And many in the public health and health care sectors, as well as those working in affected industries, are shouldering a significant mental health burden.

Reach out and check on your loved ones and community members. And read and share such resources as the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s tips on managing anxiety and stress. COVID-19 ALERT: Increased risk of drug-related overdoses. Due to State of Emergency, please go to nearest Bridge Clinic to obtain Naloxone or if in treatment, ask your behavioral health provider. If you are unable to leave your home, please contact mobile crisis at 1-800-652-2929. link

TUESDAY: MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH — ensure the health of mothers and babies throughout the lifespan According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “We do not currently know ifpregnant people have a greater chance ofgetting sick from COVID-19 than the general public nor whether they are more likely to have a serious illness as a result. Based on available information, pregnant people seem to have the same risk as adults who are not pregnant.”

The CDCgoes on to say:  Breast milk provides protection against many illnesses and is the best source ofnutrition for most infants.  You, along with your family and healthcare providers, should decide whether and how to start or continue breastfeeding  In limited studies, COVID-19 has not been detected in breast milk; however we do not know for sure whether mothers with

COVID-19 can spread the virus via breast milk.  Ifyou are sick and choose to direct breastfeed – Wear a facemask and wash yourhands before each feeding. (from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html )

Still, pregnant women and children are considered “at-risk populations” and need some special support during the pandemic. Check out the Kaiser Family Foundation’s issue brief Novel Coronavirus “COVID-19”: Special Considerations for Pregnant Women. HealthyChildren.org has a COVID-19 page for children and families. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers links to clinical guidance and other resources, while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has posted a practice advisory.

Even during these days of social distancing, there are still things we can do and resources we can use to keep our minds and spirits positive. Explore previews of these resources below.

To stay informed about coronavirus in Delaware, visit de.gov/coronavirus, call 1-866-408-1899, or email DPHCall@delaware.gov. Individuals with hearing impairment can call 7-1-1. If you have concerns about symptoms, including fever and coughing or shortness of breath, contact your health care provider. link. The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) is updating this site to provide timely education information, resources and support to Delaware educators and families. link

WEDNESDAY: VIOLENCE PREVENTION — reduce personal and community violence to improve health Increased stress can lead to increased aggression, feeding a cycle of violence especially in communities already under strain. And, as APHA member Elena Ong writes in this Public Health Newswire post, “Since the first case of the new coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, China, in December, there’s been a surge in reports of microaggressions, discrimination and violent attacks against people who look Chinese or Asian.” Much of the stress people are feeling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is linked to fear fed by misinformation. Help counteract the “infodemic” of bad and troubling information by sharing WHO’s mythbusters and resources on APHA’s COVID19 page and Get Ready site. And as Ong reminds us, “let’s fight fear-mongering with principled and visionary leadership.” Information on COVID-19 for survivors, communities, and dv/sa programs. link.

In perhaps one of the few silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic, air pollution, specifically CO2 levels, diminished in Italy and China due to dramatic lifestyle changes. Yet as always, changes in people’s lifestyle patterns can have unexpected consequences on our environment. For now, remain vigilant in recycling plastics. If you are sick, dispose of soiled items by double-bagging in secured containers with lids. Continue to advocate for increased funding to improve our water infrastructure and adequate funding to support public health workers in monitoring, preparing for and responding to the health effects of climate change.

THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA) is closely monitoring developments of COVID-19 outbreaks in the U.S. and is working to provide our members and other stakeholders with access to critical information and updates. Across the U.S. and around the globe, environmental health professionals are on the frontlines of preventive public health services delivery, and NEHA is committed to supporting the environmental health workforce to effectively and safely do their jobs. link

FRIDAY: EDUCATION — advocate for quality education and schools As with any illness, reliance on science-based information and response is key. Distance learning is now more necessary than ever, heightening the need for access to technology and high-speed internet. As schools are often the key source of daily nutrition for students in low-income families, school systems are now called on to find ways to distribute meals while maintaining social distancing.

Reach out to your local school system to see if volunteers are needed, whether for meal distribution, online learning support or other tasks. If you’ve found yourself suddenly at home with your school-aged children, CDC has advice on how to talk to them about COVID-19, as does the National Association of School Psychologists. Health officials are currently taking steps to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) into communities across the United States. Coronavirus.gov offers the most up to date information about this rapidly evolving situation.

Through collaboration and coordination with State and local health departments, State and local educational agencies, other education officials, and elected officials, schools can disseminate critical information about the disease and its potential transmission to students, families, staff, and community. link

SATURDAY: HEALTHY HOMES — ensure access to affordable and safe housing During the COVID-19 quarantine, people are spending even more time in their homes than usual. For those living in unsafe environments, problems like mold and secondhand smoke exposure can worsen existing health conditions.

Share CDC’s workplace, home and school guidance. And while designed to help people prepare their homes for an outbreak, CDC’s Protect Your Home page is still useful now, in the midst of the pandemic. The National Center for Healthy Housing’s Fact Sheets, Checklists and Guides page offers links on ways to keep your home safe, the costs of home upkeep and seasonal maintenance checklists. The general strategies CDC recommends to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in LTCF are the same strategies these facilities use every day to detect and prevent the spread of other respiratory viruses like influenza. link

SUNDAY: ECONOMICS — advocate for economic empowerment as the key to a healthy life One of the most dramatic reactions to COVID-19 has been that of the stock markets and the underlying industries they represent. It already appears clear that many industries and their employees will suffer a significant financial hardship. On an individual level, the burden of being out of work and (potentially) hospitalized for an extended period of time can have disastrous impacts on financial health.

Advocate for paid sick leave and a living wage. Urge your members of Congress to prioritize public health infrastructure and paid sick, family and medical leave in any future legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic. DE Div. of Unemployment Insurance hereby waives work search requirements, registration, attendance at related reemployment appointments and workshops during the State of Emergency for claims filed due to COVID-19.

DE Dept. of Labor has taken steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), by suspending public access to their offices until further notice. To best assist you, contact them from 8am-4:30pm through a live chat option at DE VOCAL or visit DE Dept of Labor. Click COVID-19 Jobs for Current Job Openings. link In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. link