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An act to implement phase 1 of the Direct Care Worker Registry work group recommendations
Vision Statement
We envision a registry that serves as a central place where workers, consumers and employers can find information that will help promote professionalism, access and safety in the fields of personal care, direct support assistance and certified nursing assistance. Objectives

We envision a registry that achieves the following objectives:

1. Increase the number of direct care workers hired in Maine by expanding the functions of the Certified Nursing Assistant registry.

2. Improve consumer and worker safety and reduce the cost of background checks for employers.

3. Improve general understanding and legitimacy of the direct care/support profession and improve consumer choice by using the on-line registry for public educational purposes.

Characteristics
The group also developed unanimous support for the following list of characteristics of such a registry:ß Accuracy
  • Real time (quick and immediate information)
  • Confidentiality safeguarded
  • Accessibility
  • Contain only necessary information
  • Efficiency (easy to click around)
  • Consumer friendly language
  • Easy for workers to sign up

It was generally assumed that such a registry would be web-based in order to achieve all these characteristics.

A Phased Approach to Achieving the Long Term Vision
Based on our research about other registries, current institutional capacities, current needs, and current economic and political realities, we recommend a phased approach to establishing a Direct Care Worker Registry, as follows:Phase I
This phase should be implemented immediately.

1. Improve CNA Registry as follows:
a. Ensuring adequate funding to allow for efficient processing and updating of all registrants.
b. Ensure that the current CNA registry meets all state/federal criteria or better
 i. Re-certification every two years
 ii. SBI Checks every 2 years
 iii. Computer upgrades
c. Upgrade CNA registry
 i. Expanded internet access and other enhancements to meet employer needs
 ii. Up-to-date, 24/7 Internet access for direct care/support agencies

2. Take steps to reduce duplication of effort
a. Representatives from the state, CNA Registry, providers, and others should meet to explore how to reduce duplication.
b. One idea discussed was voluntary public disclosure of results of back- ground checks paid for by potential employers, among others.

3. Add static information that benefits workers and employers
The following types of information were suggested although there was not absolute consensus on this list as presented herein:
a. Provide general education about the field of work
 i. Provide general information on various direct care/support job titles and responsibilities, including such details as the difference between certified, licensed and registered jobs and career ladder opportunities.
 ii. Develop a crosswalk for existing job requirements and current trainings/classes.
b. Provide information on job opportunities
 i. Link to Maine’s Career Center website for information about current direct care employment opportunities.
 ii. Encourage providers to use the Career Centers for job postings.
c. Provide information about job training opportunities
 i. Provide information about train-the-trainer programs for both PSS and CNA.
 ii. Provide information on continuing education opportunities.
d. Provide a resource guide for consumers to assist in understanding the different categories of workers, types of home care agencies and the various state funded programs that cover direct care services.
e. Provide analytic reports about the workforce on-line
 i. Requires someone to collect data on workers, similar to the nurses’ minimum data set, through on-line surveys
f. Provide links to organizations and coalitions working to address the direct care worker shortage and to improve the working conditions for direct care workers.
g. Provide information about how to conduct a hiring process that helps to achieve quality care.
 
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