CT SB00251

Office of Workforce Strategy shall develop an initiative in collaboration with state agencies and educational institutions to address Connecticut's health care workforce shortage, including behavioral and mental health care workers.

Initiative includes expansion of existing health care academic programs, development of alternative programs for displaced workers and career changers, recruitment of underserved populations, distance learning initiatives, and on-the-job training programs with emphasis on underserved areas.

Chief Workforce Officer must report on the initiative to joint standing committees on higher education, employment advancement, public health, and labor by January 1, 2024.

Chief Workforce Officer shall develop a plan in consultation with hospitals, nursing organizations, nursing homes, emergency medical services, and assisted living associations to encourage high school students to pursue careers as nurses, medical assistants, emergency department technicians, surgical assistants, and behavioral health workers.

Chief Workforce Officer must submit the high school outreach plan to the joint standing committee on higher education and employment advancement by January 1, 2023.