PHI Endorses the Reintroduction of the Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act

In June, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), along with seven other senators, reintroduced the Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act (S. 4889). PHI enthusiastically endorses this legislation, which reflects policy priorities we have long championed across successive Congresses.

Direct care is projected to add more new jobs than any other occupation in the coming decade, yet inadequate compensation, inconsistent training, and limited advancement opportunities continue to drive workforce shortages. Workforce shortages, in turn, place additional strain on long-term care providers and family caregivers, as well as harming the millions of older adults and people with disabilities who rely on their support.

The Act would authorize $1 billion in grants to strengthen recruitment, retention, training, and career advancement for direct care workers and provide education, self-care resources, and other supports to family caregivers. It requires that at least 30 percent of funded projects invest in career pathways and that grantees assess wages and benefits. The bill would also codify the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center, the national technical assistance center established by the Administration for Community Living in 2022, for which PHI is proud to serve as a national partner. Codification would help secure the Strategies Center’s work with states on recruitment, retention, training, and career advancement for years to come, while expanding its mission to include family caregivers.

PHI extends our gratitude to Senator Kaine and his colleagues for their continued leadership, and we look forward to working alongside them and our partners to advance this bill through Congress.