Caregiver Training Initiative

In the California Unemployment Insurance Code, Division 3, Part 1, Chapter 7, there is the Caregiver Training Initiative. Section 11020 specifies that there is established a project known as the Caregiver Training Initiative. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Caregiver Training Initiative develop and implement proposals to recruit, train, and retain health care providers such as certified nurse assistants, certified nurses, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and other types of nursing and direct-care staff.

In addition, an advisory council is established for purposes of the Caregiver Training Initiative. The advisory council is required to develop goals, policies, and a general work plan for the Caregiver Training Initiative. The many duties of the advisory council are set forth in this section. The advisory council has specified members.

Section 11022 requires the EDD, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services, to administer regional collaborative program selection and funding under the Caregiver Training Initiative. The EDD must establish and lead a work group that is responsible for staff support to the advisory committee. Also, the EDD is responsible for nine required services.

In addition, the EDD, in conjunction with the State Department of Social Services, is required to evaluate or contract for the evaluation of the regional collaborative programs funded under the initiative. The evaluation of each program site funded under the initiative must include the six specified elements.

The EDD is also required to develop a strategy to improve understanding of the demand and supply of labor, and the labor market dynamics for low-skilled workers who choose occupations such as certified nurse assistants. To develop the strategy, the department must develop information about and analyze all ten specified tasks.

Section 11024 requires the program model for implementation of the Caregiver Training Initiative to consist of a solicitation and competitive selection process to identify proposals from regional collaborative programs that offer the best solutions to removing barriers for attracting and retaining qualified health care providers, such as certified nurse assistants, certified nurses, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and other types of nursing and direct care staff.

Any proposals for funding under the initiative submitted by regional collaborative programs must address five specified topics. The regional collaborative programs that compete for contracts under the initiative may include partnerships of any combination of local governmental entities, private nonprofit entities, and employer or employee groups. In order to ensure oversight for funds used in these contracts, fiscal agents representing these collaborative programs must demonstrate three competencies.