North Tidewater News

WASHINGTON – On July 18, House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07), and Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) reintroduced the Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment (CARE) Opportunity Act of 2023. The legislation invests more than $1.8 billion over five years in training and increasing opportunities for our nation’s direct care workers.

Between 2020 and 2030, the direct care workforce is projected to add more than 1.2 million new jobs. Unfortunately, despite this growing demand, direct care workers continue to earn low wages and experience unstable working condition. The current median wage for direct care workers is $14 an hour and the rate of injury among direct care workers is nearly eight times higher than other professions.

The Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2023 strengthens the training, support, and career opportunities that direct care workers need to care for millions of older Americans and people with disabilities.

“Direct care workers play an essential role in caring for our nation’s seniors and individuals with disabilities,” said Ranking Member Scott. “Regrettably, our investments in this critical workforce have lagged far behind the rapidly growing need for their services.  It’s time to address the shortage of care workers and provide them with the resources and support they deserve.  By funding innovative strategies to recruit, retain, and support direct care workers, the Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2023 helps ensure that our nation’s seniors and individuals with disabilities have access to vital, everyday care.”

“Direct care workers work around the clock to provide critical support to so many of our loved ones in their most vulnerable moments,”said Congresswoman Susan Wild. “We can’t take care of seniors and those with disabilities without a strong workforce—which is why I’m working to address the care worker shortage by investing in resources for direct care workers. I’m proud to reintroduce the Direct CARE Opportunity Act to bring much-needed support to our care workforce and ensure that America’s seniors and people with disabilities can live with the dignity and care they deserve.”

“Nevada is home to more than 13,000 direct care workers who work tirelessly to support Nevada seniors and those with disabilities every day, but demand for their services is skyrocketing,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03). “The Direct CARE Opportunity Act meets that demand in Nevada and across the country by directly investing in the retention, recruitment, and training of our direct care workforce. This practical investment supports caregivers currently in the workforce, strengthens the direct care workforce pipeline, and ensures that those who depend on direct care workers can continue to live securely and with dignity.” 

To meet the need for a well-trained and empowered direct care workforce, the Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2023:

• Provides funding to states and entities to invest in strategies to recruit, retain, and advance the direct care workforce pipeline;
• Implements models and strategies to make the field of direct care more attractive, such as training and registered apprenticeships or mentoring, allowing for local and regional innovation to address workforce shortages and needs in a high-demand field;
• Encourages retention and career advancement in the field of direct care through development and utilization of a career pathways model.
• Responds to the needs of a growing aging population and allows older Americans, people with disabilities, and others who require direct care services to remain in their communities, when possible; and,
• Supports the health and wellbeing of those who need and rely on direct care services, helping to prevent costlier institutional care.

Read the fact sheet for the Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2023 here.

Read the bill text of the Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2023 here.

The legislation is endorsed by: Argentum, Caring Cross, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Care in Action, Healthcare Career Advancement Program (H-CAP), National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Council on Aging, National Employment Law Project (NELP), PHI

Original source can be found here.