Labor Secretary Hilda Solis
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis’s keynote remarks at the 2009 National Network of Sector Partners (NNSP) conference were music to the ears of advocates for quality care through quality jobs.
Speaking before a packed room at the NNSP’s 10th Anniversary Dinner on November 12, the day after Veterans Day, the Secretary paused in her prepared remarks to share a personal story about her father who, after suffering a stroke, saw his medication costs rise rapidly. Secretary Solis emphasized the importance of a large, adequately trained direct-care workforce that is capable of meeting the long-term care needs of our nation’s elders and returning veterans.
“It was heartening to hear that the Secretary understood the need to train direct-care workers through apprenticeships and other trainings,” said Jean Peters, coordinator of the Healthcare Regional Skills Alliance, a program of the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.
“Secretary Solis recognizes that building and training a direct-care workforce will make it possible for older people and those with disabilities to live in the homes and residential communities of their choice,” said Peters, who led a conference workshop on “Non-Traditional Healthcare Registered Apprenticeships” with PHI Midwest Director Hollis Turnham.
The Secretary said, “We will need to train an army of people to care for aging baby boomers and veterans in their own homes or wherever they choose to live. Direct-care workers will need training through apprenticeships and vocational adult education.”
Secretary Solis also talked about the importance of passing health reform legislation in this Congress.
The biennial NNSP national conference, an initiative of the 40-year-old Insight Center for Economic Community Development, NNSP’s parent agency, was attended by people interested in sector initiatives — industry-focused approaches to workforce and economic development that improve access to good jobs and increase job quality in ways that strengthen an industry’s workforce.
I am a member of the Senior Resources – Agency on Aging team who wrote a White Paper: When No One Cares. The Paper addresses the direct care workforce shortage crisis.
Training is one of the topics covered. To read the White Paper: When No One Cares, go to http://www.seniorresourcesec.org.
My husband, Joe, was the victim of elder abuse at the Connecticut Veterans’ Hospital, Rocky Hill, CT; staff not properly dementia or hospice trained. Joe died sooner than he would have; his body could not withstand the assault.
Cecelia Sullivan, MS Ed., HTPA
Care Partner & Family Advocate
Hospice Educated Volunteer
PO Box 167
Oakdale, CT 06370-0167
carepartneradvocacy@yahoo.com
Thank you for writing. PHI is aware of your White Paper: When No One Cares and has posted it in its Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workerforce at http://directcareclearinghouse.org/l_art_det.jsp?res_id=294310
I am so sorry to hear about your husband’s experience.
My sister is 30 years old, severely autistic and has poorly trained and low class people working as her direct care staff, in her home. Staff are paid minium wage (or just above) and are forced to work double or triple shifts, because of high turnover. Until laws are put in place for better pay and hours a caregiver can work we will see more abuse, turnover and caregiver agencies hiring people off the street with very little training. Oklahomans boust about being good Christian people that care… It’s all talk! When Oklahoma policy makers, DDSD, DHS are asked to actively do something to better the state of affairs they are very slow and lazy to take an initiative. The proof is in the pudding. Very uneducated state