Despite the health services industry being the fastest growing sector of Alaska's economy, a shortage of health care workers has been at a near-crisis level for many years.  The demand for health care services continues to grow with the state's steadily growing and aging population, many of whom are among The Trust's beneficiaries. 

The Goal

The Workforce Development Focus Area aims to develop a capable, culturally competent workforce for service providers to support the communities and families of Trust beneficiaries.  Read an overview of the Workforce Development Focus Area, its goals and strategies.   

In collaboration with The Trust's Coordinated Communications & Advocacy Committee, this focus area workgroup has launched a media campaign that encourages people to turn their life experiences into jobs that help beneficiaries.  View the Workforce Development Recruitment Campaign.  

Focus Area Funding

Deadline for applications was May 17, 2010. 

Workforce applications are currently under review.

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, in partnership with the University of Alaska, and the Departments of Health and Social Services and Labor and Workforce Development, has solicited proposals for health workforce development projects focusing on recruitment and retention, training and education for the FY2012/2013 funding cycle. Proposals were to be aligned with the workforce focus area vision, mission, and values addressing at least one goal. 

The FY12/13 Workforce Focus Area application review scoring criteria has been posted.

Useful Links

• Alaska Alliance for Direct Service Careers (AADSC) provides information about statewide jobs, events, and training programs for long-term care and direct service professionals and counsels agencies concerning employee recruitment and retention issues.
• Alaska Rural Behavioral Health Training Academy provides learner-centered continuing education courses, academic credit, cultural attunement workshops, conference sponsorships and workplace-based learning programs to behavioral health providers serving rural Alaska.
• Alaska State Loan Repayment Program encourages health care providers in key fields to come work in Alaska.  The program is open to health care professionals in three fields with provider shortages:  behavioral health, dental services and primary care.
• Area Health Education Center (AHEC) "GROW YOUR OWN" offers programming, outreach activities, Career Day events, student internships and dual-credit courses in high schools statewide. AHEC supports Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) clubs in six statewide career and technical schools.
• State of Alaska DHSS HCS Section of Health Planning & Systems Development - Workforce Planning & Development Activities. The Health Planning and Systems Development section is involved in a variety of workforce development activities. Community needs and agency concerns guide the section's involvement in workforce planning and development training and technical assistance and oversees the Supporting Healthcare Access (through loan) Repayment Program (SHARP). 
• Trust Training Cooperative coordinates and provides training, education and career development opportunities across the state for individuals who work with Trust beneficiaries.
• UAA Behavioral Health Alliance Children's Mental Health project provides links to various local, state and national reports, summaries and initiatives concerning the fields of early childhood and children's mental health.
• UAA Center for Human Development provides interdisciplinary education, community training, research and technical assistance. It is a Center for Excellence in Disabilities Education under the Developmentally Disabled Act of 2000.
• UAA Masters Program -- Early Childhood Special Education provides additional essential training for early interventionists and clinicians to assist families with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and children experiencing mental health disorders.
• UAA Masters Program -- Social Work helps rural residents achieve higher degree levels, assuring better qualified and supported mental health professions at all levels, and to achieve income parity with general health service providers.