Hospital workers at Valley Hospital in Spokane Valley have a new opportunity to advance their careers thanks to a $97,493 grant Spokane Community College received from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC).
The state board also provided Spokane Falls Community College (in partnership with Whatcom Community College) a $358,430 grant to provide a fast-track, 15-credit Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP) program that is offered completely online for current mental health employees who already have master’s degrees and are licensed professionals.
The Hospital Employment and Education Training (HEET) grants from SBCTC are designed to enhance access to college education for hospital workers and build stronger labor/management, healthcare industry and college partnerships.
SCC will partner with Spokane area Valley Hospital and GroupHealth Cooperative, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Education & Training Fund, to help current hospital workers advance their careers in the healthcare profession through college education. The award will support workers who need to return to school to upgrade their skills. The project will include case management, tutoring, childcare reimbursement, flexible course schedules and a college navigator to act as one point of contact for students.
“We are thrilled to help front line hospital workers who are interested in returning to school,” said SCC President Ryan Carstens. “This additional support will remove barriers and better position them for success.”
SFCC’s award is to provide a fast-track, 15-credit Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP) program that is offered completely online for current mental health employees who already have master’s degrees and are licensed professionals. There is increasing demand for mental health staff to be dually-credentialed. SFCC currently offers a 45-credit CDP program, which will be adapted for this project. SFCC will partner with Whatcom Community College, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Education & Training Fund, the Centers of Excellence for Allied Health, Compass Health and North Sound Mental Health Administration, to provide the training to mental health workers. SFCC’s allocation of the grant is $188,589.
“It is essential we adapt to meet industry needs, and this allows us to help with a growing requirement in the mental health field,” said SFCC President Janet Gullickson. “Through this project, we can impact and upgrade the skills of mental health professionals throughout the state.”
For more information about grants and sponsored research partnerships and opportunities at Community Colleges of Spokane, please contact the Grants & Sponsored Research Office at 509-434-5160.
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