EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – To help address the need for more direct care workers, or DCWs, Michigan State University was given a $25 million grant which will go towards establishing a Direct Care Career Center.

What are Direct Care Career Centers?

DCWs focus on providing long-term support for people with disabilities and older adults. Often direct care assistance workers are paid to help with tasks beyond what families can assist with, but there is a need for more of this type of worker according to MSU. For context, roughly 190,000 DCWs are serving the state’s residents, though estimates say 36,000 more are needed at minimum.

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The Integrated Model for Personal Assistant Research and Training (IMPART) is a coalition of MSU led researchers, DCWs, clients, providers, and others seeking to strengthen the direct care workforce.

“IMPART Alliance is tackling a problem faced by all of us, including our parents, our partners and, ultimately, ourselves,” said executive director and leading faculty researcher Clare Luz. “The U.S. and Michigan’s populations are rapidly aging, which is creating a greater demand for high-quality, lower cost supports and services at home, where most people prefer to live for as long as possible in their later years.”

What’s contributed to the shortage of workers?

Several factors contribute to the shortage of workers according to Luz, such as low wages, a lack of benefits and guaranteed hours, low levels of training and respect, which can lead to economic insecurity for DCWs and pricey turnover rates. The turnover rate for DCWs is higher than 80% annually according to MSU, and the average annual cost exceeds $170,000 per agency.

“We need more DCWs, but we also want competent DCWs who know how to provide support safely and with respect and who like their job and plan to stay in it,” Luz said. “Evidence clearly shows that a stable, trained, professional direct care workforce can result in higher worker satisfaction, lower turnover rates and better health outcomes including fewer falls and emergency department visits.”

How does the grant work?

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will administer funds through the state’s Home and Community Based Services Spending Plan to MSU. The grant will focus on four main areas according to MSU:

• – DCW training and credentialing program, trainer and supervisor training, apprenticeship program, set of new recruitment strategies to reach nontraditional populations and career success models to improve recruitment and retention.
•  Marketing/job placement plan to support a DCW public awareness and recruitment campaign.
• Worker retention and supportive technology fund that will assist providers with childcare, tuition and transportation assistance and new technologies to allow people to receive basic services remotely.
• Evaluation component to determine program impacts and outputs at the one-year mark and identify specific areas for quality improvements that can be implemented the following year.

“Strengthening the direct care workforce has been a focus of the state for several years,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “These dedicated individuals assist with daily tasks that enhance the quality of life for those they serve including personal care, household and clinical tasks and even companionship. We look forward to the Direct Care Career Center helping increase the number of workers in the state.”

Michigan may provide a template for other states:

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According to Luz, the state’s efforts in addressing the DCW shortage could serve as an example for other states.

“Other states are taking notice,” Luz said. “What is happening in Michigan is exciting and something to be proud of.”