Historical Perspective

1. 2010 NAO ConferenceSouth Carolina Diversity CoalitionsA statewide approach for extending the outreach to under-represented and minority students Angelica Ellman ChristieDirector, Health Careers ProgramSouth Carolina AHECCheri PlylerCenter DirectorMid-Carolina AHECLaToya DodsonCoordinator, Health Careers ProgramUpstate AHEC

2. Historical Perspective • Numerous programs that independently addressed workforce diversity issues resulted in: • Fragmented system • Failure to achieve notable success with increasing population parity among practicing health related professionals

3. SOUTH CAROLINA REGIONAL COVERAGE

4. 2006 Data • The African-American, Native American, and Hispanic populations comprise 33% of the South Carolina population. • Health professionals represented by these minority groups: • 6% of physicians • 5% of pharmacists • 6% of dentists • 10% of registered nurses

5. "Increasing Minorities in Healthcare: Building Partnerships for Success” Summit • December 6, 2004 • Goals: • Open dialogue between organizations • Harness the energy and creativity necessary to forge collaborative efforts • Lay the groundwork for the establishment of regional coalitions which would support and advance the mission of increasing workforce diversity

6. Funding Secured • Grant Awarded by The Duke Endowment Foundation www.DukeEndowment.org • Health Care Program Area • The Duke Endowment strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. • Development Grant – 1 Year Award • Implementation Grant – 3 Year Award • Funding Utilized To: • Off-set AHEC personnel expenses • Compensate contracted personnel • Support coalition initiatives

7. Regional AHEC Centers championed the convening of coalitions with Program Office support targeting influential partners for membership: • Local businesses/Industry • Schools • School District Administrators • Colleges/Universities • Practicing Professionals • Grass Roots Agencies • Governmental Agencies • Hospital Administrators

8. Outcomes • Received The Duke Endowment grant July 2005 • Convened four regional Health Care Coalitions - September 2005 • Identified barriers & strategies • Implemented The Duke Endowment grant - July 2006 • Developed and implemented initiatives

9. Annual Diversity Summit • 2007 – 2009 Promoting Diversity in Healthcare: Partnerships for Success • 2010 – Building a Lasting Contribution

10. The Blue Papers • Each Coalition was asked to prepare a Blue Paper describing plans for sustainability, including • lessons learned • obstacles to avoid • recommendations for success • specific plans for coalition continuation • noteworthy community projects

11. Coalition Goals • Increase student motivation • Increase parental involvement

12. Regional Coalition Strategies

13. Lowcountry: • Develop and implement an evidence-based mentoring program to motivate minority students explore, select and enter a health-related career • Provide information and encouragement for pursuing a health-related career to parents, students, educators, and communities with an emphasis on 5th – 8th grade students

16. Mid-Carolina: • Serve as a resource to educate parents about:a) health career shortages b) program opportunities and resources c) academic preparation and how to assist students with career decisions • Partner with community and legislative groups to encourage awareness among minority populations about health career opportunities

19. Pee Dee: • Partner with the healthcare community to create more opportunities for minority students to experience job shadowing • Advocate on behalf of the Health Science Cluster, concentrating on minority students in grades 6th – 8th in the Pee Dee region

22. Upstate: • Equip parents of K-12 minority students, with emphasis on those in middle / junior high school, by providing information and resource about the benefits of choosing a health-related career • Develop and implement an evidenced-based mentoring program to motivate minority students to explore, select and enter a health related career

25. Statewide Initiatives

26. Health Careers Academy • A health career exploration experience for high school students • Curricular activities demonstrating the use of communication, math and science specifically designed for future health professions students of South Carolina • 4-year academic based curriculum designed • FY 2010 Enrollment – 1,279 • FY2010 Scholars – 31 • FY2010 Achievers – 58 • First class graduates in 2010

27. South Carolina AHECTeach-the-Teacher Academy • An instructional program for middle and high school educators designed to promote health career advocacy • Facilitated 15 sessions • Trained 168 advocates • Developed and distributed CD containing 49 lesson plans.

28. Health Career Education Resources on South Carolina AHEC website • An electronic database that contains information about agencies and organizations that support the preparation of minorities and under-served residents of South Carolina who are interested in exploring or pursuing careers in healthcare. • http://ahec.library.musc.edu/hcer/

29. Benefits of Coalitions • Extends the reach of the Health Career Program Coordinators • Facilitates regional and statewide collaboration • Strengthens communication between organizations • Decreases duplication of effort and use of resources • Enriches the content and implementation of initiatives

30. Sustainability • Minimal funding secured as seed money from South Carolina Commission on Higher Education • Coalitions seeking regional funding sources • Organizations offering in-kind support for continuation of specific initiatives • Several initiatives were designed to provide a lasting impact

31. Lessons Learned • Identify a community organizer familiar with the region with fundraising skills • Facilitate a strategic planning session early in the development stage • Coalitions should develop recruitment materials early in the development stage • Work to establish coalition ownership by the implementation stage

32. Suggested Steps for Convening a Coalition • Identify a community organizer to: • Facilitate initial meetings • Assist in recruitment of membership • Determine the structural goals • Establish meeting dates • Disseminate meeting notices/invitations • Identify issues, barriers, strategies, etc. • Members identify desired outcomes • Identify/secure funding source(s) for project implementation • Implement

33. Questions Angelica Christie christae@musc.eduCheri Plylercplyler@comporium.netLaToya DodsonLDodson@upstateahec.org www.scahec.net