Proposal Presented for the Master Plan for Aging (#46)
Disclaimer
Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.
Summary
Establish pilot program supporting working caregivers for up to five businesses with findings used to inform a newly established Caregiver Coordinating Commission, legislative actions, and dissemination plans beyond the pilot businesses.
Justification
Caregivers are vital to the NYS business economy. However, they may lack resources from their employer and feel unsupported, which may lead them to leave their position. Providing tools, resources, and campaigns, like Any Care Counts, will deliver resources and support to employees, resulting in an immediate, positive, top, and bottom-line economic impact for businesses.
Full Proposal
Collaborate with the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) to effectively deploy the New York State Office for the Aging’s (NYSOFA) Working Caregiver Initiative for up to five pilot businesses (to be identified via collaboration between NYSOFA and DOL) with findings used to inform the newly established Caregiver Coordinating Commission (see proposal 63, above), legislative actions, and dissemination plans beyond the pilot businesses.
- Findings would also be used to provide ongoing analysis of best practices for the support of caregivers in the workplace.
- This proposal would also include reviewing and updating the NYSOFA/DOL Businesses Guidebook for Caregivers (ex.: adding more info on kinship caregivers) that has already been passed into law and made available to all businesses on specific websites (previous distribution included a press release with information on where the Guide can be located).
- This tool would be disseminated to the (up to) five businesses as part of this proposal and made available to all businesses as required by NYS statute (NYS Elder Law Chapter 309- Section 224).
This initiative would collect data via the “NY State Employed Caregiver Survey,” disseminate data and tool kits to employers via “The Any Care Counts” program and share training and self-identification information for caregivers via “Trualta” and the "CWRC Caregiver Self-Identification" video.
MPA Council Commentary
This proposal is categorized as near-term. Proposed first steps for implementation could include a consultation between the NYSOFA and the DOL regarding the availability of tools and resources for caregivers in the workplace. Proposed metrics for evaluating implementation success could include analysis of the New York State Employed Caregiver Survey and self-reported rates of support. Policymakers may reference this proposal during the legislative session, as implementation would likely require legislative action to initiate the pilot program. Funding allocations would be subject to the annual budget process and the availability of resources.