The following is a list of PAS Workforce resources related to Pennsylvania.
The list is provided and maintained by the National
Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce. Each citation contains
an abstract and information about how to obtain the entire version.
Leon, Joel, Jonas Marainen, and John Marcotte. (February 2001). A report to the Pennsylvania Intra-Governmental Council on Long Term Care: Pennsylvania's frontline workers in long-term care. Polisher Research Institute at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center.
Abstract:
The Pennsylvania Intra-Governmental Council on Long-Term Care reports on their comprehensive state-level assessment of provider experience. Areas examined by the report include: wages, benefits, training, turnover, and broader recruitment and retention problems.
Sanchez, Robert. (23 February 2000). Business gives cars to workers.
Abstract:
This article documents the practice of providing home care workers with automobiles. It provides a brief description of the benefits, some being the ability to provide service to remote areas and decreased commuting time between clients.
Obtain the Full Version: For information about ordering a copy of this article, please contact the Clearinghouse at info@directcareclearinghouse.org or 718-402-4138.
Upton, Larry, Carolyn Rizza, and Mary Anne Kelly. (January 2001). Direct care workers in long term care: An emerging crisis. Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging Workforce Initiative.
Abstract:
This report addresses the shortage of direct-care workers in the state of Pennsylvania. The taskforce looked at local and national initiatives in career development, advocacy, and best practices. The taskforce made three recommendations: 1) Create a culture change movement to improve care; 2) Provide mechanisms to reinforce, across the long-term care continuum, the relationship between quality job, quality care, and quality life; and 3) Pursue policy, legislative, and regulatory changes of significance to workforce issues.
Obtain the Full Version: To get a copy of this report, contact Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for the Aging Workforce Initiative at (724) 779-3200
Laninga, Dale. (February 2001). In their own words. Pennsylvania Intra-Geovernmental Council on Long-Term Care.
Abstract:
This paper summarizes the opinions generated from 15 focus groups with direct-care workers. Workers were asked to address a broad range of issues related to recruitment and retention. Findings suggest that lack of respect for caregiving occupations hurts recruitment; fair compensation is important, but workers aren't looking for large increases; child care would make a significant difference to workers; inadequate orientation and training has the largest impact on retention.
Elster, Susan, and Silvio Barretta. (February 2001). Thinking differently about our human capital.
Abstract:
Reporting on the labor shortage in Southwestern Pennsylvania, the authors identify the following factors as contributing to high rates of paraprofessional turnover: low wages and poor benefits, difficult working conditions, few opportunities for advancement, inadequate supportive supervision, and a lack of respect from employers. The report predicts that national demographic trends will cause the staffing shortage to worsen in the future.
Obtain the Full Version: For information about ordering a hard copy of this report. Please contact the Clearinghouse at info@directcareclearinghouse.org or 866-402-4138.
Pennsylvania Intra-Governmental Council on Long Term Care. (October 2002). In their own words, Part II: Pennsylvania's frontline workers in long term care.
Abstract:
This report, published by the Pennsylvania Intra-Governmental Council on Long Term Care, is a follow-up to a 2001 publication. It summarizes the results of 11 focus groups held with workers throughout the state. The participants worked in a variety of settings: 45 percent in nursing facilities, 22 percent in personal care homes, 14 percent in consumers' homes (attendant care), and 3 percent in adult day centers. The workers have many concrete recommendations for providers who wish to improve their recruitment and retention. In addition to calling for equitable pay and benefits, they recommend better, not more training; flexible scheduling; job re-design; improved staffing levels; better communication; and opportunities for professional development. They also call for the formation of an association that represents the interests and improves the image of workers.
Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (March 2004). Chart of direct-care workforce activities in Pennsylvania.
Abstract:
This chart describes existing or enacted direct-care workforce initiatives in this state as of March 2004. The information was collected as part of a national survey of state initiatives on the long-term care direct-care workforce. Additional details about this state may be found in the full report.
Bernstein, Mark J. (October 2002). Turnover and vacancy rate survey for direct-support staff in Montgomery County agencies serving families and persons with mental retardation and persons with mental illness. Montgomery County Association for Excellence in Service.
Abstract:
This report examines indicators of recruitment and retention of direct-support staff, using data compiled from twenty-six agencies in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Results showed an overall average turnover rate of 34% and an overall average vacancy rate of 13%. Higher wages were correlated with better recruitment and retention measures.
Davis, Mark and Steven L. Dawson. (2003). Pennsylvania's care gap: Finding solutions to the direct-care workforce crisis. Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute.
Abstract:
This paper provides an overview of the direct-care workforce crisis in Pennsylvania, exploring how demographic shifts, combined with poor job quality, contribute to that crisis. Providers, consumers, workers, and state agencies need to work together to improve the quality of jobs, in order to attract workers to direct-care positions. The paper includes both public policy and workplace practice recommendations.
Pennsylvania Intra-Governmental Council on Long Term Care. (2003). Direct connections: A resource guide for direct care workers.
Abstract:
This practical resource guide, specially designed in response to requests from direct-care workers, includes information about benefits, services and opportunities for workers. The topics include child care and education, computer access, health care benefits and services, financial and tax assistance, transportation services and professional resources. It also provides contact information for government offices.
Fegley, Chris, Stephen Herzenberg, and Mark Price. (October 2003). Threatening the promise: Workforce crisis and funding shortfalls jeopardize community-based mental health and mental retardation services. Keystone Research Center.
Abstract:
This paper documents how under-funding and the workforce crisis are impacting mental health/ mental retardation (MH/MR) services in Allegheny county and describes some of the most troubling challenges facing the system, including poverty level wages, high turn over, lack of continuity of services and the waiting list/threat of reinstitutionalization.
The National Conference of State Legislatures. (April 19th, 2004 ). Better Jobs Better Care: Retaining long-term care workers.
Abstract:
This article gives an overview of the Better Jobs Better Care Demonstration projects in Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Vermont. The authors specifically address the actions in three of the states: Iowa, North Carolina, and Vermont. The authors note the high turnover rates and problems with retention of direct-care workers across the country, and the interventions that are being explored in these five states through the Better Jobs Better Care project.
Obtain the Full Version: To get a copy of this article, go to: www.statehealthnotes.org. Available on the web: www.ncsl.org/programs/health/bjbc.htm
Institute for the Future of Aging Services (IFAS) and Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI). (June 2003). State-based initiatives to improve the recruitment and retention of the paraprofessional long-term care workforce. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Abstract:
This report identifies a range of workforce improvement initiatives at the state level to reduce high vacancy and turnover rates among direct-care workers and improve the quality of their jobs. The report summarizes the experiences of five states (California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) that have pursued several strategies to address the serious shortage of direct-care workers.
FrontlineCare. (June 2004). A mission called care. Frontline Care.
Abstract:
This article gives an overview of CARE, a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania based direct-care worker association. The goal of the organization is to bring caregivers together to enhance the quality of life for their patients and residents by enriching the direct-care worker profession. CARE gives support to its members by administering training programs that promote team building, leadership development, and time management.
Eaton, Susan. (April 1997). Pennsylvania's nursing homes: Promoting quality care and quality jobs . Keystone Research Center.
Abstract:
Focusing primarily on Pennsylvania, this report documents the variations that exist in the quality of care for residents of nursing homes. It highlights the link between job quality and nursing home care. The author suggests that administrators and policy makers in Pennsylvania adopt the following public policies to improve the quality of care for elders and jobs for workers: publish an annual consumer report for long-term care, increase education and research activities, require that employers pay for worker healthcare benefits, and encourage the creation of paraprofessional associations within the state.
Brannon, Diane et. al. (May 2005). 2004 Pennsylvania long-term care workforce surveys: A report to the Pennsylvania Intra-Governmental Council on Long-Term Care. Penn State University.
Abstract:
This study conducted by Penn State University updates several prior Pennsylvania direct-care worker and long-term care provider studies. Nine major recommendations about recruitment, retention, and future demonstration projects are included in the report.
Auer, Michael A. and Linda Anthony . (2004). Backup PAS and employment findings report. Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL).
Abstract:
This report is part of two phase project by the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL) on developing backup PAS for persons working or who wish to work. The project attempts to identify ''best practices'' in the field, this report will be used as a foundation for the development of a pilot programs in Pittsburgh and Schuylkill County.
