Public Notice

Topic:                          Alaska’s SHARP-3 – Informational Workshop:  6/30/17

Submitted by:             Robert Sewell

Updated:                     6/29/17

Re:       Alaska’s SHARP Program:  SHARP-3 Concept – Informational Webinars

The public is notified that Alaska’s SHARP Program will conduct an informational workshop   via webinar.  The public is welcome to attend.

Webinar:        Focused for Employer Representatives
                        FRIDAY: June 30th, from 10:00-12:00

Please register for SHARP-3 - Program Proposal on Jun 30, 2017 10:00 AM AKDT at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3781396793361039619

Webinar ID:  460-094-683

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For the AUDIO portion:

Call this teleconference phone number:  (800) 944-8766
Then, dial code:  5818485

To ask questions during the presentation:  We will answer questions by “opening” all phone-lines … after each “Section” … of the presentation, as it moves along.

Please use your “phone hand-set” and do NOT use a speaker phone, unless muted

Please MUTE your phone when you are not speaking

Do NOT put your phone “On Hold” because then we ALL listen to Music

Teleconference will be recorded, then posted to web at: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/HealthPlanning/Pages/sharp

Webinar Materials:  All materials are here-attached also:  EXHIBITS A -> G.  In addition, all webinar materials are posted to the SHARP program’s website. 

Location:  These workshops will be delivered via webinar only.    Everyone is invited to participate, and all feedback will be accepted.

Purpose: These webinars regard the impending development of SHARP-3, which is to enhance the recruitment and retention of healthcare personnel for Alaska.  These webinars are designed to:  (a) inform the public; and (b) solicit input from stakeholders, and especially from those who are key opinion-leaders.  These presentations and related discussion will address overarching program concepts as well as given operational detail.  Topics will include:  program background, the SHARP-3 model, participants (i.e. practitioners, employers and contributors), the concept of a fiscal agent, the role of Alaska’s SHARP Council, program and budget processes, education loan debt, and the service contract.

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 exchange for the repayment of qualifying education loans and/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.  Historically, there have been two program components:  SHARP-1 and SHARP-2.  The target for implementation of SHARP-3 remains by the end of CY 2017.

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 18.29 requires that a permanent interagency advisory body be convened, and meet at least quarterly.  Council’s current members include:  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 and Providence, 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.

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.