Under a grant from the Department of Labor, PHI developed a DOL home health aide apprenticeship program as well as a set of learner-centered training materials to support direct-care workers. In the second phase of the High Growth Initiative, PHI is developing an online business calculator to help employers consider the cost/benefit of specific workforce investments.

Home Health Aide Apprenticeship

PHI developed and tested a home health aide apprenticeship (pdf) model in three states: Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana. Though the apprenticeship does not have a standard curriculum, the model requires apprentices to achieve standard competencies through 150 hours of classroom training and another 500 to 550 hours of on-the-job training. It also requires participating employers to implement a mentor program, which provides added support for apprentices as well as a future career path. After the initial entry-level training, apprentices continue to receive on-the-job training and support, and must participate in advanced specialty training in at least two of the following areas: peer mentoring, dementia care, geriatric care, physical disabilities, mental illness, or hospice and palliative care.

• Visit PHI’s Apprenticeship Resource page for more information.

Training Guides and Curricula

• Training Quality Home Care Workers (PDF: English/Spanish)
• Creating a Culture of Retention: Coaching Approach to Supervision (PDF: English/Spanish)
• Coaching Supervision: Introductory Skills for Supervisors in Home and Residential (English/Spanish)
• Peer Mentoring: A Workshop Series for Direct Care Workers in Home and Residential Care (English/Spanish)