NorthCare

PROJECT PURPOSE

NorthCare, along with the Oklahoma Behavioral Health Association, Primary Care Association, and other community and state partners, respectfully requests funds to build the Hope Science Integrated Health Care Career Center located in Oklahoma City to provide educational and career advancement opportunities for those currently serving or wishing to serve in integrated behavioral/ physical healthcare. This facility would provide comprehensive and integrated healthcare career education to all Oklahomans bolstering a waning job market while increasing quality of life for workers and consumers alike. The construction of the new 90,000 plus square foot facility located on the NorthCare campus will allow career progression from front line workers through masters and doctorial programs. Innovative partnerships with University of Oklahoma, OSU-OKC, and Oklahoma Christian University allow for streamlined educational opportunities in mental health integration, as well as career advancements through certification or advanced educational programs to be provided on site and remotely. The top caliber, evidenced based programming will be supplemented with Hope Science curriculum creating greater excellence in this field. Cost estimation for this Career Center is $90,000,000 for construction and equipment, with a self-sustaining plan based on leasing space to partnering schools and other non-profits supporting this mission.

EVIDENCE

According to the CDC, since the beginning of the pandemic, reports of anxiety disorders are three times higher than average; depressive disorders are four times higher; and suicidal ideation is twice that reported in 2019. One could surmise the next pandemic we experience will be that of mental health. However, Oklahoma was experiencing work force shortages in integrated health long before the pandemic. Burn out and retirement without re-entry has exacerbated these numbers. Please see attachment of Health Minds Initiative ?Oklahoma?s Behavioral Health Workforce: Greatest Needs? and ?An Assessment of Workforce Needs in the Mental Health Field? created by OU.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

This workforce training facility will encourage new interest in healthcare as well as advancement opportunities for those currently employed in the field. For example, nurse aids utilizing this facility to gain their RN can experience a 170 percent increase in income while Peer Support Specialists in Behavioral Health who become a certified Case Manager can enjoy a 67 percent increase in salary. Salary increase in these fields will be evident throughout the career spectrums. Remote learning will be available across the state allowing for hands on and practicum training to be conducted through our partnering organizations. Educational opportunities would be available in nursing, pharmacy technicians, peer support, case management, social work, LMFT, LPC, psychology, addiction/ recovery, and psychiatry. Students in the programs can do hands on / practicum work in their communities with the collaborating community partners which will benefit the student, the partners, and the consumers. Collaborating partners currently serve over one third of the current Medicaid population in the state.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

NorthCare designed and built its current building located at 2617 General Pershing Blvd which is approximately 61,000 square feet. Our educational partners in this endeavor have long standing histories in building educational formats and programs to help Oklahomans achieve work force development and educational needs. o This project will be measured in two parts: ? Design, build, completion of the building itself. We will work with the architecture and building firms to establish realistic and economical completion deadlines ? We will work with our educational and community partners to design and implement workforce certification and educational options in a plan that will be fluid, innovative, and accessible to Oklahomans. Tracking of progress will be monitored by enrollment and degree / certification completion

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma