The following is a list of PAS Workforce resources related to Maine.
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.
Maine Health Care Association Labor Task Force. (February 1999). The shortage of CNAs and PCAs in Maine: Short and long term solutions. Maine Health Care Association.
Abstract:
This report outlines the scope of the shortage of direct-care workers in Maine; provides data on the direct-care workforce, including wages, benefits, job satisfaction levels, stress factors, and reasons for leaving; and recommends sector-wide actions to improve retention. The report's major recommendation is the construction of a comprehensive career ladder for entry-level direct-care workers, which will ensure that workers' skills are transferable among different health care settings.
Obtain the Full Version: To order the report, contact the Maine Health Care Association at (207) 623-1146.
Pohlmann, Lisa. (February 2003). Without care: Maine's direct care worker shortage. Maine Center for Economic Policy.
Abstract:
This report identifies the causes of the shortage of certified nursing assistants, personal care attendants, home health aides and other direct-care workers in Maine's long-term care system, and recommends actions to address them.
Bratesman, Stuart. (December 28, 2000). Direct care workforce challenges: Improving the recruitment and retention of workers who provide direct support to persons with disabilities. Plan Development Workgroup for Community-Based Living.
Abstract:
After describing the scope and causes of difficulties recruiting and retaining paraprofessionals to care for people with disabilities, this article identifies possible solutions and documents promising initiatives undertaken in Maine. Recommendations include increasing wages and benefits, providing career ladders, cross-training paraprofessionals, promoting consumer direction, and instituting more selective recruiting practices.
Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (March 2004). Chart of direct-care workforce activities in Maine.
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.
W. L. Taylor Associates . (April 2002). Home Care Alliance of Maine wage and salary survey 2002. Home Care Alliance of Maine.
Abstract:
This report summarizes wage and salary data provided by fourteen Maine home care agencies in April 2002, with an update in January 2003. The document provides hourly wage information for 52 individually defined positions, job summaries/descriptions, and a full description of benefits offered by the 14 agencies, including availability of health insurance and vacation policies.
Obtain the Full Version: To order this report, contact:
Home Care Alliance of Maine
20 Middle Street
Augusta, Maine 04330
www.homecarealliance.org
Available on the web: community.muskie.usm.maine.edu/Materials/workforce.htm
Anderson, Wayne L., Joshua M. Wiener, Angela M. Greene, and Janet O'Keeffe . (April 2004). Direct service workforce activities of the Systems Change grantees. RTI International.
Abstract:
In 2001 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Real Choice Systems Change (RCSC) Grants to states and other entities working to improve state long-term care systems. Twenty grantees began one or more initiatives to improve the recruitment and retention of direct service workers. This report focuses on the workforce initiatives of these 20 grantees, with an in-depth look at 7. The report strongly recomends that policymakers, providers, and consumers address workforce problems.
Pohlmann, Lisa . (April 2005). Direct Care Remains a Critical Workforce Challenge. The Maine Center for Economic Policy's.
Abstract:
This issue brief is part of the Maine Center for Economic Policy's series of "Choices" issue briefs. It is an update to the "Without Care: Maine's Direct Care Worker Shortage" issue brief. The author discusses the state of wages and benefits for direct-care workers in Maine, stating that they are disproportionately low. In addition, the author discusses the growing 'care gap' highlighting the fact that the aged (65+) population in Maine is growing faster than the pool of available direct-care workers. The author suggests that low wages, poor benefits, and inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates makes it difficult to attract and retain workers and provide quality care.
