DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES $4 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR DIRECT CARE WORKERS

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry announced on Friday that $4 million in training grants are being made available to improve the quality of care provided by direct care workers while creating opportunities for new careers and earning family-sustaining wages.

Direct care workers in this case mean those who take care of people who are unable to take care of themselves in long-term care facilities like nursing homes.  The Direct Care Worker Training Grants will go towards creating and developing training programs that increase the quality of services, offering specialty certifications, and creating viable business opportunities for personal care assistants, home health aides and certified nursing assistants.  L&I Secretary Jerry Oleksiak said that many of the workers in this industry are making relatively low wages and receive limited health benefits.

Eligible applicants include local workforce development boards, non-profit and non-governmental entities, community-based organizations, education and post-secondary organizations, healthcare organizations, labor organizations, business associations, trade associations of long-term services and supports providers, and economic development entities.  Applications are due October 2^nd, and recipients will be notified by the end of November.  The grants will operate between January 1^st of 2021, and September 30^th of 2022.