WASHINGTON, D.C. — The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched several initiatives to confront the growing crisis in direct care worker shortages. Through the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Direct Care Workforce (DCW) Strategies Center, HHS is offering significant resources and support to increase the availability of caregivers for older adults and people with disabilities living in communities across the nation.
A shortage of direct care professionals, which include home health aides and personal care attendants, threatens the progress we’ve made towards increasing community living. The newly announced initiatives by HHS aim to strengthen the system for recruiting, retaining, and training these vital workers. This move comes as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader commitment to fortify the caregiving infrastructure.
“Like our efforts to support the development of clinicians and grow the behavioral health workforce, the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center is a vital component of our Health Workforce Initiative,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
The core feature of these initiatives are two technical assistance opportunities that are available to states. The first, DCW Intensive Technical Assistance, will facilitate collaboration among state agencies to enhance recruitment, training, retention, and professional development of the direct care workforce. The second, DCW Peer-Learning Collaboratives, will allow states to join hands in a working group, focusing on sharing innovative strategies and best practices to foster this critical workforce.
With more than $37 billion in American Rescue Plan funding already invested in home and community-based services, it’s crucial to amplify the impact these initiatives will have.
Moreover, the DCW Strategies Center has launched its website, serving as a national hub for resources, best practices, technical assistance opportunities, and upcoming events. It provides a one-stop-shop for stakeholders seeking to strengthen their local direct care workforce.
To increase awareness and facilitate access to these resources, the DCW Strategies Center will kick off a technical assistance webinar series. These webinars will provide invaluable insights into various facets related to strengthening the direct care workforce, providing key insights from federal agencies.
The direct care workforce, often underrated, plays a crucial role in American healthcare. They provide much-needed support to older adults and people with disabilities, enabling them to live in their own homes and communities. The recent pandemic propelled the shortage of these professionals to crisis levels, with three-quarters of service providers unable to accept new participants.
The solution to this growing crisis lies in urgent, transformative action. As the population of older adults and people with disabilities grows, the demand for home and community-based services will only increase. If left unaddressed, the shortage in direct care workers risks a decline in the quality of life for communities across America.
These new initiatives launched by HHS, through the DCW Strategies Center, signal a beacon of hope. They aim to build a stronger, more sustainable direct care workforce. They represent a commitment to improving the conditions of direct care professionals and enhancing the provision of care for our older adults and people with disabilities. The wide range of resources, coupled with collaborative learning opportunities, are early, yet promising steps toward making home and community-based services a reliable and accessible reality for all who need it.
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