​The role of the boards is to support workforce development in their specific region by attracting federal and state funding to meet employer needs.

• In CT, we have five workforce boards representing each region of our state.  The CLN had a contract with the Board in Bridgeport, CT.  For over 10 years, the board called The Workplace, Inc. implemented a Health Career Academy with the goal of attracting individual from the Bridgeport to Greenwich communities wishing to enter the healthcare workforce.  The Workplace, Inc. received $25 million from the Federal DOL and HHS offering free education, preparation, and job placement in one of (10) entry level healthcare roles…the RN was also included. 

 

• In Massachusetts, the structure is a bit different, there is an overarching group called MassHire and the Executive Director is Cheryl Scott. Massachusetts has 16 local boards throughout the state. You can find the location nearest you by going to Mass.gov and search for MassHire.

 

• In New Hampshire there is an organization called New Hampshire Works. It's a state workforce innovation board and there are 12 regional sites throughout the state. The individual running the Program is Roxie Severance. Find locations of your local boards at: www.NHsectorpartners.org

 

• In Vermont, one hub exists for the Vermont Workforce Board.  Information is shared on Registered Apprenticeships and how to become an eligible training partner to receive WOIA dollars. I did not see any local or regional sites listed. Site can be accessed at: www.VWDB.Vermont.gov.

 

• In Rhode Island the entity is Real Jobs RI.  There are two state workforce investment boards in addition to the overarching Governor’s Workforce Board. Information can be found at www.GWB.ri.gov

 
Very important to get your name out to these entities.  Boards can be the fiduciary to large grants you wish to secure via HRSA, HHS, etc. and take care of all the reporting… This is what they are good at.  Visit www.GRANTS.gov to see the hundreds of federal grants available for healthcare & nursing each year!

The National FORUM of State Nursing Workforce Centers, Inc. (The FORUM) is to collect accurate state-specific data pertaining to:  Determining the capacity of Nursing Education Programs at the RN and LPN levels via their MDS for Education; Understanding the Supply of Nurses via the MDS for Supply Survey; and Identifying the Workforce Demand identified of healthcare facilities and organizations that employ nurses via the MDS for Demand.  Website:  https://www.nursingworkforcecenters.org/
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Only CT and Vermont have entities in their states that are members of the FORUM.  CT would be happy to work with MA, NH, and RI to establish a connection with an existing organization within your states undertaking data work to become a member of the Forum.