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Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act
12/9/2023, 5:40 PM
Summary of Bill S 1298
The bill aims to address the challenges faced by direct care workers, such as low wages, lack of benefits, and limited opportunities for advancement. It proposes measures to improve the training and education of these workers, as well as to increase their wages and benefits. Additionally, the bill seeks to enhance the recruitment and retention of direct care workers by offering incentives and support programs.
In addition to supporting direct care workers, the bill also focuses on providing assistance to family caregivers who often face financial, emotional, and physical strain while caring for their loved ones. The bill proposes measures to provide respite care, counseling, and other support services to family caregivers to help alleviate their burden and improve their overall well-being. Overall, the Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act aims to recognize the important contributions of direct care workers and family caregivers and provide them with the support they need to continue providing high-quality care to those in need.
Congressional Summary of S 1298
Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to set up a national technical assistance center and grant program to support the direct care workforce and family caregivers. HHS must consult with the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on these efforts.
Specifically, HHS must establish a national technical assistance center to develop recommendations for curricula to educate and train direct care workers and family caregivers, disseminate strategies to strengthen the direct care workforce, and carry out related activities.
Additionally, HHS must award grants for recruiting, training, and retaining direct care workers and supporting family caregivers. Eligible grantees include state and tribal governments, certain labor unions and employers, institutions of higher education, and other nonprofits, as well as partnerships of such entities. Grant recipients must agree to consult with the state Medicaid agency unless that agency receives the grant directly or as part of a partnership.
