VA LTSS Workforce Development PR Presentation

VA LTSS Provider Workforce Development Meeting

• Date: 02/19/2025

• Organizations: Elevance Health, CardinalCare, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus

• Focus: Virginia's Medicaid Program and T-LTSS Provider Network Team

Personal Introduction Highlights (Cornelius Leonard)

• Career Summary:

  • Title: LTSS Provider Workforce Development Manager

  • Start Date: 01/2025

  • Location: Richmond, VA

  • Personal Background:

    • Raised in Richmond, VA

    • Graduated from John Marshall High School and Virginia Commonwealth University

    • Family includes 2 brothers and 1 sister; has a pet Chihuahua named Chyna

• Personal Traits: Ambitious, engaging, genuine

• Fun Facts:

  • Former professional makeup artist

  • Enjoys cooking, traveling, and attending concerts

  • Collaboration with FEMA post-Hurricane Helene

VA LTSS Workforce Development Management Road Map

Quarterly Breakdown:

• Q1: Complete onboarding training and understand Elevance and workforce programs

• Q2: Conduct 1:1 meetings with regional provider network relations consultants

• Q3: Collaborate with Regional PR consultants and providers on workforce solutions

• Q4: Develop workforce regional initiative strategy for implementation in 2026 or sooner

Importance of a Skilled Workforce

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• Key Roles in LTSS:

  • Direct Service Workers (DSWs) such as Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides, Direct Support Professionals

  • Essential for personal-centered services and community support

• Workforce Development Definition: Involves training, recruitment, and retention of effective care providers

The LTSS Workforce Overview

• Workforce Statistics:

  • 71% of LTSS workforce consists of four key occupations

  • 4.5 million workers in 2018

• Key Occupations:

  • Home Health Aides/DSPs: ADLs, basic health services, median pay $33,296 - $39,000/year

  • Nurse Aides: Basic care in nursing facilities, median pay $33,070 - $37,440/year

  • Personal Care Assistants: Non-medical services, estimated pay $47,777/year

  • Psychiatric Aides: Assist impaired patients, average salary $34,149 - $42,782

VA LTSS Workforce Concerns

• Overview:

  • Challenges include low wages, poor conditions, lack of advancement opportunities

• Specific Issues:

  • Low Wages: Contributes to high turnover rates

  • Poor Working Conditions: Job stress, poor relationships, inconsistent assignments

  • Lack of Career Advancement: Limited training and opportunistic pathways

Growth Projections and Economic Context

• Job Growth: LTSS jobs predicted to grow by 34% from 2019-2029

• Funding Source: Medicaid is predominant payer for LTSS; Medicare does not cover benefits

• Wage Insights: Current average wage for CNAs in Virginia is about $17/hour (January 2025)

• Turnover Rates: Nationally, 53.9% of nursing staff leave within a year; Virginia sees a higher rate at 56.5%

Workforce Development Pillars

• Focus Areas:

  • Elevating social value of DSWs, recruitment strategies, retention methods, leveraging technology

  • Collaboration with various organizations for continuous support and training

Workforce Development Tools and Options

• IntellectAbility: Free access for providers to improve employee skill sets in IDD healthcare

• Person-Centered Thinking Training: Comprehensive approach to support delivery, includes both eLearn courses and live classes

Future Steps in Workforce Development

• Project EDU Elevate: Offers reimbursement for licensing fees after new employees complete 30 days

• Elevate Impact Workforce Stipend: Enhancing employee morale through incentives like gift cards and recognition initiatives

• WF Pulse Check: Employee well-being tool for assessing engagement and support needs

Conclusion

• Continuous investment in workforce development is crucial for sustaining quality LTSS in Virginia.