First-line supervisors from all areas of acute care, long-term care, assisted living and home health attended a training program entitled “Improving Healthcare through Supervisory Development” as part of a state program to address training, recruitment and retention needs of health care employers.The eighteen hour training, developed by Penn State University, is designed for first-line managers and addressed areas of communication, conflict management, human resource management, time management, cultural diversity, giving feedback, stress management, accountability, and dealing with challenging customers.  Participants who completed the program received CEU’s from Penn State and were awarded contact hours from the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, Nursing Home Administrator’s Board and the Department of Welfare.The training was partially funded by the Northeast Regional Healthcare Industry Partnership which allowed employers to attend at a greatly reduced cost.The Northeast Regional Healthcare Industry Partnership is part of Governor Rendell’s Job Ready PA initiative. It is administered for the Northern Tier Region of Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming Counties through the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission. The long-term goal for this initiative is to create a sustainable healthcare industry partnership to address training recruitment and retention needs in the healthcare field.  For more information on Healthcare Industry Partnership activities, contact Sherry Felten or Deb Mathers at Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission toll-free at 888-868-8800, Felten@northerntier.org or mathers@northerntier.org.

 April 24, 2008

Customer Service Worship to be held on May 5th and 12th

A day-long workshop will be held in two locations in May to help anyone who has direct contact with the public improve their customer service skills.
On May 5th, the workshop will take place at Vittles Restaurant in Tunkhannock and also at the Riverstone Inn in Towanda on May 12th. Both will start at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. This P.R.I.D.E (Producing Resourceful, Informed, and Devoted Employees) workshop was developed by the Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage Corporation, the Potter County Education Council and the Penn State Extension.  The hospitality industry is a growing industry in the Northern Tier Region. With the tourism season fast approaching, this workshop will help owners, managers, and front line personnel. You will learn about local and regional tourism initiatives and attractions and how to develop excellent hospitality habits. 
This program is made possible through grants from the Route 6 Heritage Corporation, the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, the Endless Mountains Visitor’s Bureau, the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
The cost is $20 per person. Please register one week in advance for each workshop. For more information and to register, contact Heather Bartholomew toll free at 888-868-8800 or e-mail bartholowmew@northerntier.org.

 “Improve Your Financial Savvy” Seminars to be held in April

Are you great at marketing and selling for your products but struggle with keeping track of your business finances?  Would you like to know more about financial management and reporting? Attend “Making Sense of your Dollars and Cents”, a lunch while you learn seminar suitable for any type of small business.  This seminar will teach you how to take a closer look at the way you manage the finances of your business.  Topics will include: the various accounting cycles and management methods, financial statements, and what to expect from your accountant or bookkeeper.
Three Northern Tier region sites will offer the same seminar: April 2nd at the Montrose Bible Conference in Montrose, April 9th at the Sullivan County Roadhouse in Laporte, and April 16th at the Wren’s Nest in Mansfield. All sessions will be from 12 noon to 2pm.  The cost of the seminar is $10 per person without lunch or $20 with a bag lunch included. To register for this event please contact the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission (NTRPDC) at 570-265-9103 or toll free at 888-868-8800 one week prior to the scheduled event. Confirmation of your attendance will follow by mail. This series is brought to the public by: Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission, Towanda; and The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center, Scranton and Wellsboro. Co-sponsors for the session include the following Chambers’ of Commerce: Central Bradford, Greater Mansfield, Greater Wyalusing, Montrose Area, Sullivan County, Wellsboro Area, Wyoming County, and Wysox, along with the Montrose Restoration Committee.
The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center is part of a network of 18 SBDCs in Pennsylvania, and covers an 8-county area of Northeastern PA.  It provides free and confidential management consulting services to help businesses develop the planning, management and financial skills necessary for business. Its one-on-one consulting programs provide practical, up-to-date business information including business plan development, home-based businesses, market research and public relations, among others.  All consulting is provided free of charge by skilled professionals.  The Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission is a Pennsylvania Local Development District that fosters opportunities for businesses and communities throughout Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming counties to enhance the local economy and quality of life. To learn more, visit our website at www.northerntier.org.