Discover the Opportunities Available in Health Careers

Northwest Indiana Area Health Education Center

Presentation Christine Brletic, MA Ed., NBCT Associate Director

What the Heck is AHEC?

•Federally funded organizations•Designed to promote and support health professions•By educating, recruiting and retaining practitioners •In order to reduce shortages and increase care for those in underserved areas throughout the United States

Health Professional Shortage Areas in Indiana

AHEC MISSION:

Increase… DIVERSITYDIVERSITY

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION

QUALITYQUALITY

of Health Care Providers

AHEC METHODS:

1. Provide Provide EDUCATION (K-12 Pipeline) (K-12 Pipeline) Educating students about opportunities available in health careers and attempting to increase minority students’ interest

in these professions through enrichment activities

2. Provide Provide EXPERIENCES (Health Prof. Students) (Health Prof. Students) Exposing students to the needs of the underserved and providing experiences working with these populations

3. Provide Provide SUPPORT (Practicing Professionals)(Practicing Professionals) Assisting with resources, access to technology and continuing education opportunities for practitioners working in rural or underserved areas.

EDUCATIONEDUCATION (K-12 Pipeline) PROCESSPROCESS

Identify Target Schools

Solicit Schools

Develop Partnerships

Implement Programs

Identifying Target Schools (based on 3 criteria)

• location (underserved areas on map)

• enrollment (large minority population)

• disadvantaged status (determined by percentage of free & reduced lunch statistics as reported on DOE website)

*Combined total of at least 30% to qualify as disadvantaged*

Soliciting SchoolsSoliciting Schools (several approaches)

““Straight to the Top” ApproachStraight to the Top” Approach contact superintendent, schedule appointment introduce AHEC and programming available to schools Cold Calls to PrincipalsCold Calls to Principals Mass Mailings (letters and faxes) to SchoolsMass Mailings (letters and faxes) to Schools ““Roundabout” ApproachRoundabout” Approach direct contact with faculty/staff-speak with Counselors, Teachers, or Nurses

Developing Partnerships

Each schools operates differently regardingEach schools operates differently regardingpolicies, procedures, and protocols:policies, procedures, and protocols:

Verbal Commitment Principal ApprovalWritten Commitment (LOA) Board Approval

Work through Curriculum Coordinatoror Career/Occupations Coordinator

Eventually leading to Implementation of Programs

FREQUENT BARRIERSFREQUENT BARRIERS

Newness & Unfamiliarity of AHECNewness & Unfamiliarity of AHEC (unknown organization)

Academic Probation of SchoolAcademic Probation of School (failure to perform & pass proficiency requirements)

TurnoverTurnover (in staff and administration)

Other PrioritiesOther Priorities (more important issues to deal with)

Most Successful StrategiesMost Successful Strategies

1. Partnering with Well Known AgenciesPartnering with Well Known Agencies ISDH, Minority Health Coalition or Endorsements from State Dept. of Education (more established reputation & clout than AHEC)

2. Correlating Programming with State Correlating Programming with State Standards and Educational RequirementsStandards and Educational Requirements

3. Address State Initiatives and RequirementsAddress State Initiatives and Requirements Senate Enrolled Act 111 addresses issues of wellness nutrition and physical activity

4. Knowing someone in the school systemKnowing someone in the school system

For more informationFor more information contact our AHEC officecontact our AHEC office

NWI AHECPurdue University Calumet Academic Learning Center9900 Connecticut Dr.Crown Point, Indiana 46307(219)756-1008FAX(219)756-1021

THANK YOUTHANK YOU