Proposal Presented for the Master Plan for Aging (#33)
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
Recommendation to expand the SkillSpring program to prepare care workers to serve older adults and provide health care jobs to young, low-income New Yorkers. The proposal also includes partnerships with DOH Regional Direct Care Training Centers to certify the program’s students.
Justification
The health care workforce crisis continues to impact the State of New York and older adults seeking necessary care. Expansion of health care educational programs such as the SkillSpring program, which is a successful NYC-based program connecting young adults who are disconnected with the workforce with supportive training for health care jobs, would simultaneously improve health outcomes for older adults, challenge workforce crises, and allow young professionals to engage in fulfilling careers. SkillSpring has received past line-item budget funding, and the purpose of this proposal is to scale the program and replicate it in other geographic areas.
Full Proposal
SkillSpring addresses two urgent economic challenges facing New York: It prepares care workers to serve older adults and it provides good jobs in health care to New York low-income young people.
- SkillSpring would expand the workforce serving older adults across the state by providing entry into healthcare jobs with strong career pathways to low-income young adults (ages 18-25) who are disconnected from school and employment.
- SkillSpring’s full-time 12-week program provides free (to the participant) occupational skills training to low-income young adults (ages 18-25) to attain a New York State credential, such as CNA, HHA or PCA.
- SkillSpring’s rigorous 12-week program encompasses professional workforce development, allied health training, intergenerational programming, and transformational relationship building. Throughout their training, SkillSpring trainees receive wraparound support to complete their training and attain their CNA, HHA or PCA certification. SkillSpring’s staff-intensive, high-touch model provides holistic, trauma-informed support ensures retention and career development for young adult trainees.
- Once certified, SkillSpring directly connects certified program graduates with employment. SkillSpring identifies, recruits, and trains low-income young adults experiencing barriers to workforce participation to attain certifications (e.g., CNA, HHA, PCA) and then places them in good jobs. Young adults who successfully complete SkillSpring’s training and attain CNA certification have been guaranteed a job offer from partnering skilled nursing facilities, certified home health agencies and other employers. SkillSpring creates entry points to career ladder employment opportunities for young adult trainees.
- SkillSpring would accomplish this system-level change through forging employer-driven workforce partnerships that link low-income community members, nonprofits, institutions, and businesses in the older adult healthcare sector.
- SkillSpring’s model is designed to promote well-being alongside career outcomes for low-income trainees and supports social/emotional learning (SEL) opportunities through professional and intergenerational mentoring. SkillSpring uses a trauma-informed approach to youth development and all trainees receive biopsychosocial assessment on intake to ensure identified needs are met through individualized wraparound support.
MPA Council Commentary
This proposal is categorized as long-term. While job training and pipeline programs are critical to addressing the workforce and staffing challenges of the state, a formal procurement process may be necessary to engage a specific program provider like SkillSpring. Any additional funding would need to be considered through the annual State budget process and would be subject to the availability of resources.