U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening the direct care workforce and supporting family caregivers.
The Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act would provide federal funding to states and other eligible entities to help train, build and retain direct care workers and provide educational and training support for paid and unpaid family caregivers.
Gillibrand, the ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, said direct care workers provide essential support to seniors and people with disabilities but are often underpaid and overworked.
The legislation would direct the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Community Living, to award grants for workforce initiatives involving certified nursing assistants, home health aides, personal health assistants and family caregivers.
Gillibrand's office said the bill would also codify a technical assistance center created by the Administration for Community Living in 2022. The center would support direct care workforce development and family caregivers by helping states and other stakeholders develop career advancement strategies, national standards, recruitment campaigns, on-the-job training, apprenticeships and certifications.
The proposal would also call for analysis of national data gaps, workforce shortage areas and data collection strategies for direct care professionals. It would require recommendations and best practices for the direct care workforce and family caregivers.
Gillibrand's office said about 4.1 million New Yorkers serve as caregivers, providing more than 2.6 billion hours of hands-on care to family members each year. Nationwide, 63 million American adults provide care to adults or children with a medical condition or disability.
The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Tim Kaine, Tammy Duckworth, Ben Ray Lujan, Tina Smith, Ron Wyden, Maggie Hassan and Jack Reed.
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