Established by Congress in 1968, the Community Health Representative (CHR) Program provides outreach to address the specific healthcare needs of Tribal communities, predating the recognition of non-tribal Community Health Workers (CHWs). Aligned with the Indian Health Services (IHS) mandate to serve American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations, CHRs play a vital role in elder…
As the largest occupational group in the United States, alongside home health aides, personal care aides (PCAs) play a critical role in supporting millions of Americans. However, despite their significant presence in the workforce, PCAs continue to face persistent job quality challenges, with inadequate training being a key concern. Unlike other direct care workers, PCAs…
Part 2 of a 2-part series based on a symposium of health workforce research centers that was previously held in Washington DC in May 2016. This webinar includes three prerecorded 10-minute presentations regarding three separate studies on health care job growth, training, and career pathways. Following these presentations, attendees ask questions regarding the studies, such…
Some state Medicaid-funded programs enable older adults and individuals with disabilities to reside safely in their homes and participate in their communities. In the absence of federal standards, there exists wide variation in minimum training requirements between states and between programs within states. Most of the existing state training requirements are relatively undeveloped compared with…
Although previous research has demonstrated a paucity of standards in most states, a few have engaged in a rational approach to designing personal care aide (PCA) training standards with the goal of better preparing these essential frontline workers to provide care. This research brief highlights 7 “leader states” in training standards for Medicaid-funded personal care…
The 2023 Symposium featured experts from 9 federally-funded health workforce research centers discussing the most pressing issues facing the health workforce today. Recorded live on October 11, 2023 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. SESSION 1: Health Career Pathways – What’s Working? This session describes several very different health career paths—some that are…
Peer providers are individuals hired to provide direct support to those undertaking mental health (MH) or substance use disorder (SUD) recovery, often referred to in the literature as “consumers.” The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines a peer provider as “a person who uses his or her lived experience of recovery from…
As health systems continue to evolve toward more managed care models, care coordinators are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring that people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (ADRD) receive appropriate, well-coordinated, and cost-effective care. Research has shown that effective care coordination and referral to services and supports for patients with ADRD and their…
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines a peer provider as “a person who uses his or her lived experience of recovery from mental illness and/or addiction, plus skills learned in formal training, to deliver services in behavioral health settings to promote mind-body recovery and resilience. Peer providers have traditionally worked as…
Coordinating care for dementia patients who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid can be complex as they involve program requirements, workforce competencies, and other barriers. As the aging population increases, more attention will need to be paid to new and potentially effective care coordination practices. This article describes a mixed-methods study that reviewed policy…
