Single Parent Workforce Initiative: Healthcare Sector
By Jake Hornstein & Greg Hill, Our Children Have Rights (OCHR)
Pinellas is facing a critical healthcare workforce shortage. RN’s and doctors get the most attention, yet Pinellas has been designated a Provider Shortage Area for allied health – medical assistants, dental assistants, and behavioral health technicians.
A recruiting strategy is aimed at single parents eager to pursue careers. But childcare and informal parenting create obstacles preventing single parents from committing to training programs.
Solution: eliminate the obstacles to pursuing career by formalizing informal arrangements. A parenting plan defines co-parent responsibilities with a set schedule, providing structure for everyday life. Signed by a judge, it’s a court order, creating accountability for both parents. A well-developed plan balances childcare with career goals. The parenting plan creates:
Clarity & Stability
- Clear responsibilities for each parent
- Predictable schedules for work & family
- Confidence to commit to career opportunities
Support for Career Growth
- A reliable routine empowers single parents to pursue goals
- Enroll in workforce training programs without last-minute childcare worries
Reduction in Conflict & Stress
- Co-parent mix-ups and scheduling conflicts are eliminated
- The court order predetermined schedules
Realistic & Flexible Futures
- A strong plan is practical and adaptable as careers advance and kids grow.
OCHR & Evara Health Institute have launched the Single Parent Workforce Initiative. By helping single parents develop parenting plans, we accelerate participation in healthcare education and training. We piloted Feb.-Nov. 2025. OCHR co-parenting workshops with EHI that demonstrated that co-parent education combined with workforce programs drives enrollments.
We conduct no cost workshops with community partners. Co-parenting education is complemented by guest speakers from the early learning community, childcare providers and other wrap-around services. Positioning parents for career advancement requires securing quality early learning enrollment aimed at kindergarten readiness. The success stories to date share a common theme, A Total Neighborhood Effort. The program is not funded yet activities are on-going and offered at no cost.
OCHR is a Pinellas 501c3 nonprofit that helps parents achieve successful co-parenting strategies, at no cost to the family. Contact info@ourchildrenhaverights.com or learn more at www.OCHR.org.