The Watch project, funded by a health professions opportunity grant, supports income-eligible individuals in central Pennsylvania seeking careers in healthcare by providing academic, social, and financial assistance. As of December 2011, the project has assisted 129 clients in entering nursing programs and has expanded outreach to additional counties. Furthermore, the project's coordinators and partnerships with local educational institutions have significantly improved client support and employment opportunities in the region's healthcare sector.

1. WATCH
December
2011
Report of the
Work Attributes Toward
Project
WATCH Cohort Meetings Provide On-Going Support Careers in Health Project
Update
All WATCH participants are Topics addressed at cohort meet-
required to attend cohort meetings ings have included stress manage-
while attending school. These ment and guided imagery, study
meetings give WATCH participants
the opportunity to network with one
skills and work habits,
strategies for dealing with difficult
A Message from
WATCH
another, build peer support, people, financial aid resources, Program Manager
WATCH
Toll-Free Number
promote resiliency among cohort
members, and learn about topics
resume writing and interviewing
tips, and overviews of CNA, LPN,
Katherine Vastine
Project
related to their educational and and RN program expectations. Dear Partners:
career goals.
WATCH Career Coordinators plan
This document was supported by Grant #90FX0011 from the
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of
Looking back on the first year
of the WATCH project, I am
Report
Health & Human Services (HHS). Its contents are solely the amazed at the many relation-
the meetings with input from responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent ships we've established with
the official view of HHS. Work Attributes Toward Careers in educational and training pro-
participants. In December 2011, two additional Career
Health (WATCH) is a Health Profession Opportunity Grant viders, social service pro- Funded by a Health Professions Opportunity
and is administered by the
grams, and healthcare em- Grant from the Administration for Children and Coordinators joined the WATCH staff to provide
1 (855) 292-8246 Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
ployers in central Pennsylva- case management services to clients in
(CSIU). Families, U.S. Department of Health and Hu-
nia. Your willingness to col-
man Services, the Work Attributes Toward Ca- Lycoming, Clinton, Upper Northumberland, and
laborate and support the mis-
sion of WATCH has allowed reers in Health (WATCH) project provides com- Tioga counties.
us to address the needs of prehensive academic, social service, and finan-
WATCH Project Report December 2011 over 129 individuals seeking
cial support to income-eligible individuals enter- WATCH project staff is now working with the
family-sustaining careers in
healthcare. In this newsletter, ing the nursing profession. Northcentral Pennsylvania Area Health Educa-
we would like to share the tion Center (AHEC) and the PA Department of
progress we have made to
But we do not do it alone. With the help of our Labor and Industry to develop a CNA Regis-
date and the accomplish-
ments of our clients. We look educational, employer, and social service pro- tered Apprencticeship. Northcentral PA AHEC
forward to another successful gram partners across the nine counties, we are serves all nine counties of the original WATCH
year working with all of you to service area and Tioga county.
able to enhance our services and levels of sup-
meet our core mission.
port to help our clients succeed in the
WATCH healthcare industry. In response to our work with Northcentral PA
Core Mission AHEC, WATCH is expanding its outreach to
WATCH staff began working with clients in Jan- Tioga County. Partnering with the Northern Tier
The Work Attributes
uary 2011. By the end of Program Year 1 Workforce Investment Board in December
Toward Careers in Health
(WATCH) project assists (September 2011), WATCH had received 705 2011, WATCH Career Coordinators will offer
low-income residents of the same supports to income-eligible individuals
referrals. Five Career Coordinators, located in
ten central Pennsylvania
four regional offices, provided case manage- entering the nursing profession in this Northern
counties to become
Registered Nurses, ment services to 129 clients. Tier county.
Lewisburg, PA 17837 Licensed Practical Nurses,
or Certified Nurse’s Aides
During Program Year 1, WATCH staff members
PO Box 213
Project WATCH by providing comprehen- Work Attributes Toward Careers in Health
sive academic and social remained active on the health advisory boards (WATCH) is a project of the Central
services support while Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16 and
of two area secondary vocational schools — the
receiving nursing is supported by a grant from the
Community and Rural Health Awareness Task Administration for Children and Families,
instruction in one of
U.S. Department of Health and
several partnering Force, and the Columbia County Human Ser-
Human Services (HHS).
educational programs. vice Coalition.

2. WATCH
Program Staff
Regional
Juli Corrigan
WATCH Helps Family Moving Individuals Nursing
Director of Outreach and
Programs
Community Education
Achieve Goal Into Healthcare
Katherine Vastine, WATCH clients enroll in CNA,
Program Manager
A WATCH Success Story Careers LPN, and RN programs provid-
ed by the following educational
Jean Spaihts, institutions:
Career Readiness Specialist
By Stacey Gallagher An Interview with Bloomsburg University
HACC’s Marie Johnston, Central Susquehanna LPN
Career Coordinators: LPN Program at Central PA Institute of
Science and Technology, Pleasant Gap Nurse Aide Coordinator Career Center
Rebecca Eves Career Coordinator: Ann Miller
Columbia, Montour Counties Central PA Institute of Science
and Technology
I would like to introduce myself, my name care paid for by insurance). This is where health careers.” Marie re-
Sharon McIntyre Many WATCH program “This is the perfect time for Harrisburg Area Community
Snyder, Mifflin, Lower is Stacey Gallagher. I am married with two the WATCH program has helped me. clients receive nurse aide the WATCH program,” Marie ports that many WATCH can- College
Northumberland Counties
children. My oldest daughter is seven WATCH helps with gas mileage and helps training through Harrisburg maintains. She explains that, didates gain employment in
Hazleton Area Career Center
Area Community College’s as the baby boomers age, the facilities where they have
Becky Weaver years old and my youngest is 19 months. to pay child care. This allows my husband
Union, Northumberland Nurse Aide Training there are more people in received training through Lewistown Hospital School of
Counties I have been a cosmetologist for 12 years. and I to pay household and other bills. Program. With 46 certified need of nurse aid services, HACC. Nursing
After the birth of my oldest child, Lillian, The WATCH program has helped me to instructors, HACC provides whether it be in retirement As Ms. Johnston explains, Lock Haven University –
Gaye Jenkins instruction at 56 sites across and long-term care nursing
Lycoming, Clinton, Upper my desire to be a nurse increased. This continue with school and to concentrate “WATCH mentors students Clearfield Campus
Northumberland Counties 19 Pennsylvania counties. facilities or in hospitals and well and assists them finan-
was due to my daughter being born with more on school work then how I’m going Over 1600 students receive rehabilitation centers. Luzerne County Community
cially to meet their goals.” College (Nanticoke, Berwick,
many special needs that continue today. to pay bills. training each year. Marie believes that many Shamokin, Kulpmont)
Julie Caringi Marie has observed that
Clinton, Lycoming Counties She needs a lot of medical Thanks to the WATCH individuals would never take
I have had the chance to We asked Marie Johnston, WATCH has a positive im- Mifflin-Juniata Career and
the first steps into the nursing
care. I have had the chance program, I’m almost fin- HACC Nurse Aid Coordina- pact on the nurse aide candi- Technology Center
Valerie Forsha profession if it were not for
to meet some wonderful ished with LPN School and tor, to share some thoughts dates enrolling in HACC
Lycoming, Tioga Counties meet some wonderful WATCH services and sup- NSB Trainers
about the difference WATCH Nurse Aide training pro-
nurses that helped change carrying a 98% average. port.
is making in the region’s grams: “From what I’ve Pennsylvania College of
Ann Miller my family’s life. I want to be nurses that helped change I’m very thankful for the Technology
Centre, Clinton, Mifflin Counties
nurse aide workforce. seen, I definitely think
one of those nurses! help and support I receive WATCH does a good job
Penn State University
my family’s life. screening candidates for
from everyone at the pro-
Kathy Sprenkle, SUN Area Technical Institute
In August of 2010, I decided gram. I hope this program
Data Entry Specialist
I want to be one of
Non-Academic Supports Help Students Succeed Thomas Jefferson School
Mary Mingle, it was time for my family to continues on to help other of Nursing,
Adult Education Specialist and An April 2011 report from the Community commitment allows students to have Geisinger Medical Center
Report Editor
make a change. We were families like mine achieve
those nurses! College Research Center identifies four non- clear goals and an understanding of why
tired of trying to make ends their goals. Wilkes-Barre Area Career
Amy Pfleegor, academic support mechanisms that encour- college is worthwhile. and Technical Center
Management Assistant meet. In October 2010 I took my pre-
age student persistence and success at the  Developing college know-how is im-
entrance exam for the LPN program at
post-secondary level. portant for students to understand the
CPI. By January I was starting school. I
“unwritten” rules of postsecondary
travel anywhere from 120-150 miles a Something to Celebrate!  Creating meaningful social relationships
schools and programs.
day. That was getting pretty costly in gas helps students feel comfortable in college
Stacey graduated from CPI’s  Providing services such as on-campus
Refer Clients Using with just one income now in my house- and provides access to important Reference: CCRC Brief Num-
childcare to help students overcome the
Our Toll-Free program on December 14, 2011. information. ber 54, How Non-Academic
hold, plus I had to pay a babysitter for my challenges of balancing school with work Supports Work: Four Mecha-
Number  Providing counseling to help students nisms for Improving Student
youngest daughter (my oldest has nursing and family commitments can increase
clarify aspirations and reinforce Outcomes by Melinda Mechur
1 (855) 2 WATCH 6 persistence. (See reference at right) Karp, April 2011
1 (855) 292-8246