Wilkes-Barre, PA – Leaders from the Pennsylvania Departments of Health (DOH), Human Services (DHS) and Aging (PDA), as well as advocates representing older adult associations across the Commonwealth, came together today at The Gardens at Wyoming Valley to highlight the Shapiro Administration's efforts to build a stronger, more resilient workforce at Pennsylvania's long-term care communities.
The Gardens at Wyoming Valley Administrator Jason Davies highlighted examples of how it is using Quality Investment Pilot grant funding announced by DOH earlier this year to supplement the facility's investment in workforce development.
The facility utilized part of its grant funding to enhance its workforce by enrolling several staff members in courses offered through Drexel University. These courses were co-developed by DOH and provide instruction on infection prevention control and emergency preparedness, specifically tailored to long-term care facilities.
Across the Commonwealth, Quality Investment Pilot funding is helping long-term care facilities implement innovative strategies to improve staff training and retention.
“A lot of responsibility and trust is placed on long-term care workers, and we need to ensure they have the skills and support needed to provide exemplary care to our loved ones now and into the future," said Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “At the same time, these caregivers face their own challenges. The Shapiro Administration is working collaboratively with partners to develop innovative ways to support long-term care across the state, build resiliency in long-term care facilities, and implement positive changes in this industry."
To help address the challenges facing the long-term care industry, earlier this year the Department of Health consolidated its older Pennsylvania care efforts into the Long-Term Care Transformation Office to provide guidance and assistance to care communities, including assisted living, intermediate care, skilled nursing, personal care homes, and state veterans homes, across Pennsylvania. The office works with multiple state agencies and stakeholder organizations to understand industry challenges and implement positive change.
The office is focused on long-term care workforce resiliency, infection prevention and control and emergency preparedness, as well as sustainable outbreak response operations to help protect residents.
“Direct care workers are not only amazing people, they are the keystone of Pennsylvania's long-term services and supports, helping older adults live as fully and independently as possible. Communities must support these workers across the spectrum of direct care services to develop a career path that sustains them and encourages them to grow professionally," said Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich. “PDA is encouraging and supporting our local partners to develop and share best practices, including partnerships to offer students in health occupation fields opportunities to gain hands-on experience in direct care that leads to employment."
“Personal care homes and assisted living facilities offer individuals a place to live where they can both maintain independence and receive the support they need to age in place in their community — where they want to be," said DHS Executive Deputy Secretary Andrew Barnes. “Facilities like The Gardens at Wyoming Valley are vital long-term care options for Pennsylvanians, and the Shapiro Administration will do everything we can to continue to support staff and the residents across Pennsylvania."
The Long-Term Care Transformation Office's efforts to invest in the future of the Commonwealth's long-term care workforce coincides with ongoing efforts by the Shapiro Administration, including:
- $400 million investment in creating the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program
- $2.6 million in awards for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities
- $23.5 million investment in workforce training and vo-tech programs in 2023-2024 state budget
- $3.5 million in funding for the School-to-Work program in 2023-2024 state budget
Contact: Jack Eilber, PDA agingcomms@pa.gov
Mark O'Neill, DOH, ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
Brandon Cwalina, DHS ra-pwdhspressoffice@pa.gov