Career-Focused Health and Science Curriculum Now Available Statewide

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Department of Finance predicts that the number of state residents, ages 65 and older, will swell to over 11 million people (nearly one in five) by 2050.  Will there be enough health care workers to provide services to an aging population?  According to the California Hospital Association's (CHA) 2011 Allied Health Survey, the average age of the allied health care workforce ranges from 37 to 50, which underscores the need to engage younger workers into health care professions and prepare for the increased needs of California's aging population.

Allied health care encompasses a range of services outside of traditional nursing and physician-based care, including radiology technicians, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists, among others. The CHA's study examined 14 allied health occupations and concluded that California's allied health workforce will need more than one million new professionals as early as 2030.  Ideally, these should come from the emerging workforce -- those exiting post-secondary schools or training.  To build this pipeline and engage students as early as the 7th grade, the Health Workforce Initiative (HWI) of the California Community College's Economic & Workforce Development program has identified educational, industry, and community partners to create the HASPI (Health and Science Pipeline Initiative).

The HASPI infuses core academic sciences like biology, chemistry, physiology, and microbiology with health and medical themes that help middle and high school students see the connection between coursework and career-related concepts, research, and terminology.  The program began in San Diego County in 2006, and is now available statewide, with additional sites in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Northern California offering the courses this fall.  "We've found that boosting performance in mathematics and science is the key to preparing students for careers in the medical field," said Statewide HWI Director Linda Zorn.  "We want to make sure that educators, parents, and students are aware of this program so that they can request HASPI curriculum and courses at their schools."

The HASPI model combines contextualized curricula, skills-based internship programs, and additional career exploration activities with program and professional development, comprehensive site implementation teams, and multi-level regional collaboration to create a comprehensive plan for building the healthcare workforce pipeline.  "HASPI has a critically important role to play in building the capacity of our public schools to effectively prepare the next generation of health professionals in California," said Kevin Barnett, senior investigator, Public Health Institute and co-director, California Health Workforce Association.  Students who complete a HASPI Health Career Pathway course sequence will be well-prepared to pursue any health training program of their choice, from technician to physician.  The program offers workshops that train middle and high school teachers on implementation of the HASPI model at their school sites.

State test results of students enrolled in the HASPI program, for the school year that ended in June 2010,  indicate that the model leads to improved science proficiency, increased awareness of the breadth of healthcare careers, and stronger linkages to, and preparedness for, college opportunities. Parents, students, or educators who would like information on HASPI curriculum and course offerings should visit www.haspi.org, or contact Linda Zorn at [email protected]

SOURCE California Community College's Economic and Workforce Development