Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act
Topic:
Proposals are grouped into broad types, with specific topics within each category
Proposal Overview
Name: Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act
Congress: 118th
Year: 2023
Sponsor and Co-Sponsors
Sponsor:
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Co-Sponsors:
9 Democratic cosponsors
Companion Bill
None
Related Bills from Prior Congresses
Program Details
Overview: The bill requires that Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sets up a national technical assistance and grant program to support the direct care workforce and family caregivers. The technical assistance (TA) center will make recommendations for curricula to educate and train direct care workers and family caregivers; and disseminate strategies to strengthen the direct care workforce.
Technical Assistance Center
The TA center will explore national data gaps, workforce shortage areas, and data collection strategies for direct care professionals. It will recommend an occupation category in the Standard Occupational Classification system for direct support professionals as a healthcare support occupation. HHS will award grants to eligible entities for recruiting, training, and retaining direct care workers and supporting family caregivers.
Grant Award Program Eligible Entities
Eligible entities include: states; labor organizations; employers; nonprofits with relevant experience; Indian Tribes or tribal organizations; institutions of higher education; and others. In consultation with state Medicaid agencies, grantees must include older adults, people with disabilities, direct care professionals, and family caregivers as advisors and trainers in grant activities.
Topics included in Training
The four categories of grants for direct care include: professionals, managers, self-direct care professionals, and family caregivers. Grants are to be used for recruiting, retaining, or advancing these types of caregivers. This includes resources for caregiver self-care and training for individuals newly in a caregiving role seeking additional support.
Cost of the Training
Not specified
Eligible Family Caregivers
“Family caregiver” means an adult family member or other individual who has a significant relationship, and provides a broad range of assistance to, an individual with a chronic or other health condition, disability, or functional limitation. This definition extends to both paid and unpaid family caregivers.
Grant Funds and Scope
$2,000,000 is appropriated for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028 for the establishment and activities of the technical assistance center. $1 billion dollars in grant funds are available for fiscal year 2024.
Limitations on Use of Funds
Funds may be used to supplement, not supplant, funds used to address recruitment, training and education, retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce. At least 30% of grant-funded projects shall provide career pathways that offer direct care workers opportunities for professional development and advancement. No more than 5% of funds may be used for administrative costs, and at least 5% must be used to provide direct financial benefits or supportive services to direct care professionals.
Evaluation and Reporting
Eligible entities will provide a project plan that describes the activities to be carried out. The HHS Secretary may request annual reports. Project plans must describe the advisory board, with community representatives, who will advise grant activities. The HHS Secretary must submit a report to Congress, within 2 years. on the progress of each project. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will report to Congress with an assessment of the technical assistance center and recommendations for legislative or administrative actions.
Financing & Implementation
Program Administration
Department of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Education, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the heads of other entities as necessary.
Revenue Source(s)
Annual appropriations
Program Cost Estimate
$2,000,000 each fiscal year for the technical assistance program. $1 billion dollars in grant funds to be available for fiscal year 2024.