Start Date: 6/27/2024 11:00 AM EDT
End Date: 6/27/2024 12:00 PM EDT
Venue Name: Zoom Platform
Organization Name:
Virginia Assisted Living Association (VALA)
Contact:
The United States is significantly unprepared for the strain anticipated from an aging population on the healthcare and senior living system. This is especially true regarding workforce requirements and the necessary support systems, both formal and informal. The shortage of workers, especially healthcare workers, has been exacerbated by the pandemic, with long-term care facilities facing particularly acute challenges.
Join VALA for our Inaugural Senior Living Summer Workforce Webinar Series, June through August 2024, where each month different speakers present topic areas providing information and guidance to address the growing workforce crisis. At the end of the series, an informational toolkit will be available for registrants and VALA members to put into action and to have as a printable and electronic resource.
Thursday, June 27, 11 AM - 12 PM
The Blueprint: Opportunities and Pathways: Healthcare and Related Careers
Join VALA for the first session of our summer workforce series as we explore the educational programs and training offered through the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and related partners. In this session, we will delve into the nuts and bolts of partnering with higher educational institutions. We will share tools and resources offered by the educational partners from strengthening the assisted living workforce from within (retention) to sharing the diversity, expanse, and rewards of careers in assisted living (recruitment).
Speakers:
Samantha Romano
Employer Network Liaison, Network 2 @ Work
Bio: Samantha (Sam) Romano serves as the Employer Network Liaison for the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA) and Network2WorkRVA. Sam received her Bachelor of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University-VCU (Go Rams!) and has held a variety of positions in education and workforce development.
Sam enjoys spending time with her husband, son (9), daughter (5), and their kitty. She is a huge fan of the Washington Capitals, her son’s hockey team, the Richmond Generals, reading, and cooking.
Carrie Roth
Director, Virginia Works
Bio: Carrie Roth was appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in October 2023 as the Director of Virginia Works, the Commonwealth's new workforce agency, to strategically drive the Commonwealth's workforce programs to empower individuals with demand-driven skills to be successful and Virginia businesses to thrive. This follows her appointment by the Governor in January 2022 as Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission and Advisor to the Governor for Strategic Initiatives, bringing 30 years of broad experience as an entrepreneur, political and non-profit leader to the position and successfully turn around the agency following the unprecedented impact of the pandemic. Prior to her appointment, Carrie was the founder of Rerouted, a strategic growth and communications consultancy. From 2013-2021, she served as CEO and COO of Activation Capital and the VA Bio+Tech Park. Carrie previously served as Deputy Secretary of Commerce & Trade for Governor Bob McDonnell. Prior to joining the McDonnell Administration, she was President of her company Capitol Square Communications. Carrie served as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator George Allen, whom she worked for in various roles from 1993 to 2003, and as Policy Director for the 2005 gubernatorial campaign of Attorney General Jerry Kilgore after serving in the Attorney General's office. In 2023, Carrie was named RVA Power Woman in Government; in 2019, she was named a Pioneering CEO by myTechMag; in 2018, she was recognized by Richmond NAWBO as Community Leader of the Year and RTD Person of the Year Honoree; and in 2016, she and her husband, Doug, were the JDRF Central Virginia Chapter Gala Honorees. She attended Hillsdale College and is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. An avid runner and 18-time marathon finisher (2x Boston qualifier), Carrie is a UESCA-certified running coach. She and her husband, Doug, reside in Chesterfield County.
Steve Vehorn
Community Outreach Specialist, Reynolds Community College
Bio: Steve serves as a community outreach/student recruiter for Reynolds Community College for over 18 years. As education’s number one fan, Steve committed to sharing life changing opportunities through education. Prior to his Reynolds tenure, Steve served as the Public Relations Director for Special Olympics Virginia and as the Sports Information Director at the Colonial Athletic Association. He also served in the United States Army after completing his studies at East Tennessee State University.
