Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1515255
14 Open Sky Community Services CAREER PIPELINE S ince 2019, Open Sky has collaborated with partners to address workforce shortages and equity in the field of Behavioral Health/Human Services. e Task Force has developed four primary initiatives, focused on supporting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) who are considering or beginning a career in human services, or for those seeking career development. Dynamic Futures, a Pathway Program for high school students, introduces BIPOC youth to the human services field. Dynamic Futures is operated by UMass Chan Medical School and the City of Worcester in partnership with others. The Human Services Career Support Program introduces and supports immigrants and refugees who are entering the field. It includes paid training, hands-on experience through job rotations, and wraparound supports. Career support navigators and mentors facilitate the process. The Clinical and Leadership Pathway helps incumbent BIPOC staff develop career plans based on defined pathways and provides career path options, training and support, mentors/ navigators, and wraparound supports. The Higher Education Clinical Pathway prepares incumbent staff for enrollment in a three-year Master's in Counseling Program at Framingham State University. " e Career Pathway program offers supports for immigrants and refugees to enter the human services field, for BIPOC staff to explore and achieve career and educational advancement, and for current employees to embark on an LMHC Master's degree, helping to address shortages of clinicians. Navigators and wraparound supports are key elements of this work." Lorie Martiska – Vice President of Advancement "e Career Pipeline seeks to provide exploration of human services careers to people that may not have had the opportunity previously or considered a career in human services. at exploration paired with the experience gained in the program sets the foundation for the beginning and continuation of a meaning ful and rewarding career. Without this program the current staffing crisis would be far worse that it is. is program creates the needed resources and pipelines to support and extend opportunities to enable people to join our teams and contribute as staff members to our programs." Lisa Jeronymo Vice President of Human Resources