Direct care workers—5.4 million personal care aides, home health aides, nursing assistants, and direct support professionals—provide essential daily support to millions of older adults, people with disabilities, and families across the United States. Yet this…
This work is rewarding in its own right, and I like being able to support individuals’ needs and help them do things they can’t do for themselves.”
Zchon Polon
Independent Provider at Consumer Direct Care Network Washington
Featured Initiatives
Responsive to an evolving federal policy landscape—and direct care recruitment, training, credentialing, and retention challenges in all 50 states—PHI’s Universal Direct Care Workforce Initiative™ is connecting the dots, aligning states, providers, and career pathways for direct care workers through shared standards and sustainable financing.
Direct care workers represent one of America's fastest-growing occupations. Despite their critical role in long-term care, workers face low wages, minimal benefits, and limited advancement opportunities, leading to high turnover and workforce shortages. PHI addresses these challenges through workforce innovations, research, and advocacy to ensure quality care through quality jobs.
