The worker shortage continues to be a dangerous issue for California and previous solutions have been inadequate.
LeadingAge California, has been awarded more than $25 million by the California Health and Human Safety (CalHHS) Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). LeadingAge is one of the nursing home industry’s largest trade groups.
The money will be dispersed over the next three years to fund the Gateway-In Project, a certified nursing assistant and home health aide training and development program to strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline.
“The importance of The Gateway-In Project cannot be understated,” Jeannee Parker Martin, president and CEO of LeadingAge California, said in a statement. “Older-adult care facilities and home and community-based settings are facing severe workforce shortages. The Gateway-In Project will begin to change that story by cultivating the next generation of CNAs and HHAs as well as supporting those already in the field.”
Current pipeline development and training programs aren’t working to fill the demand, according to a release announcing the organization’s award. Out of all 50 states, California has the highest number of older adults. To meet the growing population, it’s projected that 275,000 direct care workers will be needed by 2026.
The Gateway-In Project is expected bring 2,700 CNAs and HHAs into the field. Training and certification will be provided at no cost to students, and retention incentives will be offered at the one, six, and 12-month periods.
Career development pathways, such as empathy and climate disaster modules will be offered, and participants will receive stipends for transportation, food, childcare, and ESL training.
Some 50% of the state’s CNAs working in nursing care facilities or community care facilities serve older adults. They, along with HHAs, are instrumental in these settings as caregivers and sometimes being the only other personal contact residents have outside of staff and family members.
Program graduates will be dually certified as a CNA and HHA, with the option to advance to licensed practical nurse and registered nurse training programs.
“Older-adult care facilities and home and community-based settings are facing severe workforce shortages. The Gateway-In Project will begin to change that story by cultivating the next generation of CNAs and HHAs as well as supporting those already in the field.”
Jeanne Parker Martin, president, CEO, LeadingAge California
Jasmyne Ray is the revenue cycle editor at HealthLeaders.