PHI - Quality Care Through Quality Jobs ads

"We can’t afford to look away from the challenges facing the direct care workforce—challenges that are both longstanding and compounded by current political trends." In a new op-ed for Generations (American Society on Aging), PHI’s VP of Research & Evaluation, Kezia Scales, PhD, breaks down the realities exposed in our 20th Annual Key Facts Report. While the direct care workforce is expected to add more new jobs than any other occupation by 2034, we are facing an estimated 8.9 million job vacancies as workers leave the field due to persistently poor job quality. With median annual earnings of just $26,000 and nearly half of this workforce relying on public assistance, the data makes one thing clear: fragile progress is not enough. As demand for long-term care escalates, the workforce that powers it is facing unprecedented threats—from unprecedented cuts to Medicaid to challenges with the reliability of federal labor data. Read Kezia's full insights on how we must protect our nation's caregiving infrastructure and safeguard access to essential services for older adults and people with disabilities: https://lnkd.in/eYzaqT_D

Quality care is impossible without quality jobs. In her latest column for The New York Times, Paula Span confronts the growing crisis in home care—a sector straining under surging demand and a critical workforce shortage. The piece highlights what PHI has long advocated: to solve this challenge, we must transform the quality of direct care jobs. We were pleased to provide data for this reporting, which underscores the scale of the challenge. The column also spotlights innovative models creating real change, including the worker-owned cooperative movement strengthened by partners at Cooperative Home Care Associates, Inc. (CHCA) and The ICA Group, as well as matching service registries like Carina, who are connecting clients with the care they need while empowering workers. Read the full analysis on how we can build stronger home care infrastructure: https://lnkd.in/eEBNj7cr

Across the country, 5.4 million direct care workers help older adults and people with disabilities live in their homes and communities. These essential workers make quality care possible—yet they face ongoing challenges to fair compensation, benefits, and basic labor protections. This year, new policies have made their work even harder. Left unchecked, these changes will challenge the very availability of care for millions of Americans in every state. PHI has worked since 1991 to advance quality care by improving direct care jobs. We offer workforce innovations, field-defining research, and proactive policy solutions to preserve and strengthen care. Our work is only possible with donor support. This #GivingTuesday, please choose to invest in the future of care. Make a donation of any amount to support the direct care workforce—and build a better future for all who rely on them. https://lnkd.in/etAjzjjN

Strong frontline supervision is more crucial than ever. For direct care workers entering the field, it can be the difference between excelling in their roles and costly turnover. Join PHI facilitators and a group of your peers for the 𝗣𝗛𝗜 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵® 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻—a proven program that strengthens communication skills and equips supervisors with practical tools to support, motivate, and retain staff. Focused on real-world challenges in long-term care, this training helps providers break the costly cycle of turnover and build a more stable, satisfied workforce—ultimately improving the quality, efficiency, and continuity of care. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻: • Strengthen supervisory communication skills through active listening and collaborative problem-solving • Increase self-awareness and practice strategies to manage stress and emotions • Provide feedback without blame or judgment while balancing accountability with support 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: January 13-14, 2026 | Online Format | $500 Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register today: https://lnkd.in/eJjzfMVX

This week, Congress resolved the stalemate over the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Even as funding temporarily returns to most government agencies and services resume, work on the FY26 federal budget remains unfinished. As a result of the extended budget process, critical attention and resources are being drawn away from issues with significant long-term consequences – including challenges that will have a damaging impact on our nation’s paid caregiving workforce. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eNAV2YtF

Now in its fourth week, the federal government shutdown is threatening to interrupt a critical public service. The Trump Administration’s U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that the agency will stop issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits effective November 1, despite the availability of reserve funds. SNAP provides small subsidies to help eligible families afford groceries. Halting this program puts food assistance for millions of Americans and their families—including hundreds of thousands of the nation's essential direct care workers, and a significant percentage of the people they provide essential care for—at unacceptable risk. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eTiXmTab