Public Notice
Topic: Alaska’s SHARP Program – Council Meeting: 2/22/17
Submitted by: Robert Sewell
Submitted date: 12/22/16
Update-1: 02/07/17
Update-2: 02/10-17
Re: SHARP Advisory Council: Announcement of Quarterly Business Meeting – 2/22/17
The public is notified that SHARP Advisory Council will meet in regularly scheduled Quarterly Business Meeting on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017 from 12:00 – 3:00 pm for the purpose of discussing overarching program concepts, potentially issuing formal recommendations (if any), and conducting business of the Council and of program overall.
Purpose: To deliberate on overarching program concepts, to articulate system values & program priorities, to potentially issue formal recommendations, and to conduct business of the Council and of program overall. These issues may include, but are not limited to, program policies, resources, budgets, timelines and other factors that impact the program. Council will review, select and recommend new SHARP-I clinician-candidates. Up to 40 FTE are anticipated for recommendation.
Date / Time: Wednesday, February 22nd, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm (up to 3.0 hours, & no more)
Agenda-in-Draft:
12:00 – Call to order
Introductions, & adopt agenda
Welcome Gloria Burnett, AHEC
Public Comment
12:15 – New Business
2:00 – Old Business
-
Status-update and decisions re: SHARP-1 Behavioral Health Project
-
Status-update and decisions re: SHARP-3
2:30 – Other / House-keeping
-
Election of new Council Chair and Vice Chair
-
Set Annual Retreat Agenda
3:00 – Adjourn
Location: Videoconference – two nodes connected
Anchorage: MH Trust Building: 3745 Community Park Loop (map below)
Juneau: Alaska Office Building: Commissioner’s Office, rm 404
All Council Members are asked to attend, and in person if possible
Teleconference option – ph. (800) 944-8766, and then dial NEW code 5818485
The public is welcome to attend, however public testimony or input will be taken only during agenda-identified time-slot(s).
Program Description: Alaska’s SHARP Program provides recruitment and retention services for Alaska’s healthcare workforce. The purpose of SHARP is to recruit and retain healthcare professionals to serve in DHSS-designated healthcare service shortage areas in exchange for the repayment of qualifying education loans &/or payment of direct incentive, pursuant to a signed SHARP memorandum of agreement with the State of Alaska. The first participants in SHARP began service in June 2010.
SHARP Council Members: The SHARP Advisory Council is a deliberative body composed of up to 15 voting agencies, with at least four (4) more as ex-officio. Alaska statute AS 18.20 requires that a permanent interagency advisory body be convened, and meet at least quarterly. Council’s voting membership is outlined in regulation, with specific members currently including: AK Academy of Physician Assistants, AK Behavioral Health Association, AK Commission on Post-Secondary Education, AK Dental Society, AK Department of Labor, AK Mental Health Trust Authority, AK Native Health Board, AK Native Tribal Health Consortium, AK Nurses Association, AK Pharmacists Association, AK Primary Care Association, AK State Hospital & Nursing Hm Association, AK Family Medicine Residency Program, National Association of Social Workers - Alaska, and the University of Alaska, College of Health. Ex-officio members at least include the AK Department of Corrections, AK Division of Behavioral Health, the AK Division of Public Health, and the Rasmuson Foundation.
Council identifies and recommends priority healthcare practitioners for award from the extant pool of otherwise eligible applicants. Selected healthcare practitioners sign a multi-year memorandum of agreement (service contract) stating their commitment to serve in identified high-need areas and facilities. Both full-time and half-time positions are considered. DHSS reserves the right to not accept any or all applications received, &/or recommended by Council, and further, it retains the option to solicit again for more candidates. Program details and example of the MOA service contract are found at: (http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/healthplanning/sharp/).
For more information about Alaska’s SHARP support-for-service program overall, see the DHSS website at: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/healthplanning/sharp/ .
Robert Sewell, Ph.D., SHARP Program Director is available for questions via e-mail at robert.sewell@alaska.gov or by phone 907-465-4065.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation to participate in this process, contact Robert Sewell to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Meeting location for Anchorage Site:
Alaska Mental Health Trust Office
3745 Community Park Loop
Upstairs Video-conference Room