Southwestern New York State Economic Plan

About

Engagement

Background & SWOT

Action Plan

Evaluation

Conclusion

Data Visuals

Full PDF Plan

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  Human Capital: Employee Health & Health Care Workforce

Health is central to the wellbeing of the region's workforce. A region that has a high amount of chronic disease and subsequent disabilities will have fewer people available for work, and will also have more employees under stress caring for ill family and neighbors. That stress only increases when the employees face transportation barriers in accessing health care.
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In addition, talent attraction campaigns to increase the region's workforce cannot be successful without communities that have the resources required for a healthy life, and that includes access to hospitals, high quality health care, and to EMS services, all of which are rapidly decreasing in availability and stability throughout the region. This issue should be given a central place in all conversations about economic development.

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OBJECTIVE 1
Workforce lens: Improve health measures to improve worker wellbeing and increase the region's work capacity​

Action Items

• Support employers in developing healthier workplaces, including exercise office equipment, fitness breaks, improved kitchen facilities with cooking capacity, local produce and CSA deliveries
• Resilience lens: Use community development funds to enhance walkability to major employers and downtown districts
• Increase the frequency and range of free health screenings, especially mobile ones. Equity lens: especially reach out into communities with less health care access and lower health measures.
• Educate employers in how to support employees in mental and behavioral health

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OBJECTIVE 2 
Workforce lens: Attract and keep new health care workers, keep hospitals and increase their financial stability,
​and develop a strong health care workforce

Action Items

• Create more microcredential programs and advocate for credentialing flexibility at the state level that will help rural areas
• Utilize the graduates of our region's occupational therapy programs for the wide variety of work, including nontraditional areas, for which they are qualified
• Educate high school counselors in healthcare field options and in identifying young people with strengths in applicable areas
• Increase access to health care workforce development trainings
• Expand access to CRPA and CPS certification
• Increase availability of child care, especially 24/7 childcare for night shift healthcare workers