Collaboration, communication and continuity: Results of the personal and home care aide statewide training and credentialing system

The Personal and Home Care Aide Statewide Training project is a collaborative effort among departments at The University of Iowa, the State Department of Public Health and numerous provider agencies. The purpose is to track the results of training of direct care workers, provide analysis for evaluation purposes and develop a model for credentialing. The collaboration has developed since the early 90s leading to the implementation of this statewide program to increase knowledge and skills of direct care professionals (DCPs) and to demonstrate the outcomes of the program for individuals being trained and the employers (e.g.,retention of DCPs in the workforce).

Targeting urban and rural geographic areas, the sample of direct care professionals (DCPs) participating in the project work in settings employing personal and home care aides and provide services, including homes, intermediate care facilities, residential care facilities, supported employment, assisted living programs, and adult day programs.

The project is a unique collaboration among state agencies and agencies in the state and involves a participatory evaluation model. Data points include baseline assessment to benchmark DCP knowledge, skills and perceptions about job, supervisor and co-worker support, pay, promotional opportunities and community stress; development of five modules and module-specific pre-post tests; follow-up assessment at six months; leadership training and mentoring effectiveness. DCPs employment is tracked over the course of the project through employer records and DCPs leaving employment are surveyed on reasons for leaving employment to understand job migration patterns.