South Dakota Allied Health Training Consortium

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Defining Features of Project:

• Goal 1: The consortium’s efforts to increase the number of adults earning certification in the health care field were successful. Over 1,000 individuals earned either a degree, a diploma, or a certificate in an allied health field during the grant period. A large segment, 44%, of those certifications were for Certified Nursing Assistants, a high-demand position for many health care facilities in South Dakota.
• Goal 2: Partner colleges researched and developed online, hybrid, and competency based models of instruction for their allied health programs during the grant period. Simulations and distance delivery systems were key components in ensuring that instruction addressed industry standards and needs. Student success coaches and other support systems developed with grant funds helped to increase retention rates throughout the consortium. White papers uploaded to Skills Commons share the successes and challenges of those efforts.
• Goal 3: The consortium was able to surpass its target goals for employing grant program graduates, retaining them in employment, and having them realize an increase in wages after graduation. An agreement with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation was critical in helping partner colleges track the employment outcomes of their graduates. Concerns about low wages continue to exist for consortium members as they strive to address workforce needs in South Dakota, especially for entry-level positions. In 2015, the average wage for Certified Nursing Assistants in South Dakota was just $11.68 per hour.