Healthcare workers are facing increasing demands from rising mental health needs to the growing complexity of patient care. To help meet these challenges, The Connection’s Institute for Innovative Practice has partnered with the New England Health Care Employees Union 1199 Training & Upgrading Fund to deliver high‑quality, practice‑informed professional development for frontline staff.

Through this collaboration, 1199 members gain access to specialized training that builds essential skills, supports career advancement, and strengthens healthcare organizations from the inside out. By combining the Institute’s academic and clinical expertise with the 1199 Fund’s deep reach into the frontline healthcare workforce, the partnership creates a powerful model for workforce development rooted in real‑world practice.

Participants earn industry‑recognized certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Mental Health First Aid, credentials that expand skill sets while opening pathways for professional growth. To date, 253 union members have completed training, with 20 additional sessions scheduled this year.

The training offered focuses on high‑priority areas often underrepresented in traditional medical education, including mental health, compassion fatigue, and emergency response. Workers who complete these programs are better prepared to respond confidently in crisis situations, identify signs of mental health and substance use challenges, and deliver more effective, compassionate care. By investing in the healthcare workforce, collaborations like this one strengthen both worker resilience and patient outcomes—all while advancing The Connection’s mission to build healthier communities.