CAPABILITY | CAPACITY | CULTURE | CONNECTIVITY | COMMITMENT
About The AZ Workforce Development Alliance – ALTCS
The AWFDA – Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) is a partnership between all the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) ALTCS plans – including Banner University Family Care, the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Mercy Care, and United Healthcare Community Plan. Together, we act as a single point of contact for reference and direction to our shared provider network.
The Alliance works with AHCCCS, health care providers, AHCCCS members, and other partners to drive long-lasting and effective changes in workforce development and outcomes. We are transitioning the existing system, based on prescription and compliance, to a more autonomous, integrated, and competency-based system.

Our Mission
To evaluate, monitor, and support the development of the capability, capacity, connectivity, culture, and commitment of our provider workforce.
Meet Our Team

Layla Bishop
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
Layla Bishop is the Workforce Development Administrator for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (UHCCP). In her current position, Layla works on WFD initiatives for ACC, ALTCS, and DD contracts. Her position includes actively collaborating with community stakeholders and providers to develop, strategize, coordinate, and implement WFD initiatives across Arizona. Before joining UHCCP Layla worked in the healthcare field for over 25 years. She started her journey as a direct care provider, working her way into management, and then Training and WFD. Layla received her Master’s in Social Work degree and her BS in Psychology with a minor in Law from Arizona State University. Layla has a passion for suicide prevention and is the Chair of the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition Training Committee. She is also a facilitator of ASIST, safeTALK, and YMHFA.

Sarah Hauck
Mercy Care
Sarah Hauck coordinates and oversees Workforce Development activities for Mercy Care. She leads across these organizations to identify need gaps and develop specialized learning strategies to improve organizational performance. These include the creation of state-of-the-art, performance-based training and educational tools, as well as continual analysis of programs and initiatives to ensure maximal performance and ROI.
Her work includes the development and implementation of learning standards, tools, templates, and reporting requirements. She is an expert facilitator in numerous course topics, including cultural competency, trauma informed care, assertive community treatment, and family psychoeducation.
Sarah began her career in Bloomington, Indiana, as a direct care provider to children with behavioral and emotional special needs before expanding her work (and moving to Arizona) to include individual, group, and family therapies. From there she took on rapidly expanding responsibilities, managing training and Workforce Development programs benefitting Arizona’s communities. Sarah holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (with a minor in Biology) from Indiana University.

Kate Lemke
Banner – University Family Care
Kate is the Workforce Development Administrator for Banner University Family Care (B-UFC). Kate has worked in Medicaid for over thirteen years, starting out in direct member care. Kate is an experienced facilitator and designer with a demonstrated history of working as a servant leader in the health care industry. She is skilled in Medicaid LTC, nonprofit organizations, coaching, customer satisfaction, conflict resolution, instructional design, and training facilitation. In her current position she oversees Workforce Development initiatives for Health Care Providers with ALTCS contracts. Her position includes actively collaborating with community stakeholders and LTC Providers to develop, implement, evaluate, and conquertize workforce development initiatives across the LTC industry in Arizona. Kate holds a BA in Community Leadership and Development from Alverno College and is in the process of completing her MBA at Alverno College.

Debra White
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Debra is the Workforce Development Manager for the DES/Division of Developmental Disabilities. Debra holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and is a Certified Public Manager. She started her career as a direct care provider and has worked for over 29 years supporting people with developmental disabilities, including 24 years with the Division. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the Division’s Workforce Development Plan, oversight of the subcontracted Health Plans’ workforce development activities, supporting the Division’s Network Team monitoring for gaps in the provider network, and data analysis of the provider workforce. Debra also provides technical assistance and education information across a variety of platforms and collaborates with AHCCCS, LTC MCOs, contractors, provider organizations, and stakeholders to ensure members receive services from a workforce that is qualified, competent, and sufficiently staffed.