Fourteen states will share ways to expand the direct care workforce

Fourteen states have been selected to participate in a program that will allow them to share information on proven models for expanding the direct care workforce.

The states that will participate in the State Peer-Learning Collaboratives were chosen by the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center, led by the National Council on Aging on behalf of the Administration for Community Living. They include California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington.

The first cohort runs until December 31.

The center is funded by the ACL, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It provides resources, technical assistance and training to government systems, providers and stakeholders to improve the recruitment, training and retention of direct care workforces.

“Empowering states to share what works makes it easier to replicate proven solutions across the country,” said NCOA Chief Customer Officer Josh Hodges.

Each participating state will participate in working groups to discuss strategies for increasing and improving the direct care workforce.

“The working groups will hold monthly meetings focused on group learning, information sharing and developing best practices,” the NCOA said. “With the help of a subject matter expert, each participating state will also achieve one policy or program-related milestone.”

The Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center will also provide intensive technical support to six additional states: Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, New Jersey and New Mexico.

Each of the six states will receive up to 250 hours of individualized technical assistance, a coach and access to subject matter experts to support them in addressing their state’s immediate healthcare challenges. Each team includes representatives from the state’s Medicaid, aging, disability, and workforce development agencies, as well as other stakeholders.