Making the Right Match: Evaluation of the Carina Matching Service Registry in Washington State’s Self-Directed Home Care Program

PHI conducted an independent evaluation of Carina, a non-profit, web-based platform that aims to enable home care workers to find good jobs providing the best possible care. PHI used a comprehensive mixed-methods approach to evaluate Carina’s impact — including administrative and platform data from 2018 to 2024 with more than 25,000 in-app survey responses along with first-hand perspectives from nearly 600 caregivers and consumers through in-depth surveys and interviews. The study documents both the successes of technology-based solutions in addressing challenges to the direct care workforce, and the need for additional systemic investments to strengthen our nation’s care and support infrastructure.