News

Join a Workforce Community Conversation with MN Dual-Training Pipeline Program

On September 20, 2024 by Anna Mowry

This October, the MN Dual-Training Pipeline program is hosting community conversations around the state for employers to come together and share their workforce challenges and successes, network with business leaders, and learn about the MN Dual-Training Pipeline program.

Celebrate CNA Week, June 15 – 21

On June 15, 2023 by Anna Mowry

Today marks the start of CNA Week, an annual celebration of the vital work of nursing assistants. Since 1977, the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) has observed CNA Week yearly.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Practice Self-Care Through Gratitude

On May 18, 2023 by Julie Apold

Have you ever noticed how it warmed your heart when someone appreciates you?  Research shows that expressing gratitude to someone who has done something to enrich your life (no matter how big or small) significantly impacts both the giver and the receiver.

Keys to Retaining Staff —Driver 2: Feeling Effective

On May 18, 2023 by LeadingAge

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is the second in a series of articles from contributor Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology, featuring tools to improve staff mental health.

In an overview article, I introduced three major factors that can improve staff retention when attended to deliberately by you and the leaders in your buildings—staff feeling valued, supported, and effective. This article focuses on feeling effective.

Keys to Retaining Staff—Driver 1: Feeling Valued

On May 11, 2023 by LeadingAge

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is the second in a series of articles from contributor Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology, featuring tools to improve staff mental health.

In last week’s overview article, I introduced three significant factors that can improve staff retention when attended to deliberately by you and the leaders in your buildings – staff feeling valued, supported, and effective.

Revisit Self-Care Activities During Mental Health Awareness Month

On May 4, 2023 by Julie Apold

Self-Care for Safe Care helps you create an environment where teams and individuals can thrive and find joy. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, it is an excellent time to revisit activities from Self-Care for Safe Care to retrain our minds to focus on the positive and increase our sense of happiness and well-being.

Keys to Retaining Staff: A Mental Health Perspective

On May 4, 2023 by LeadingAge

May is Mental Health Month. This is the first in a series of articles from contributor Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology, featuring tools you and your organization can use to improve staff mental health.

Build Your Recruitment Pipelines for Today and Tomorrow

On March 9, 2023 by Anna Mowry

Each month, our national partner LeadingAge, shares workforce tools to help providers take action in their workforce efforts. This month’s focus was on recruitment tools to help you grow your teams to ensure a quality workforce both today and tomorrow.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Aging Services: Toolkits, Research, and Resources

On February 9, 2023 by Anna Mowry

Each month, our national partner, LeadingAge, focuses on a new workforce topic to share tools, articles, and research to help providers take action in their workforce efforts. January’s focus was on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and living out our commitment to DEI in organizations.

Invest in Your Staff; Join Us at the 2023 Institute and Expo

On December 22, 2022 by Sharon Hollister

The most impactful way to retain your current staff is to invest in their professional development. Institute is the best value for your investment, with the average cost to attend at less than $40 per person per day when you register by Jan. 4.

Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program – Last Chance to Apply!

On January 13, 2022 by Jenna Kellerman

The Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness program cycle is accepting applications through Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. The Loan Forgiveness program is available for various health care professionals serving in high-need areas, including nurses in nursing homes, assisted living, and home care settings. You can find general program information for long-term care on the MDH website.

HCBS Grant Applications Open Now

On January 13, 2022 by Jenna Kellerman

A request for proposals for the Home and Community Based (HCBS) Scholarship Grant is currently open, with applications due on Jan. 31. This grant is offered through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. You can find the HCBS Scholarship Grant details, including the RFP, on the MDH website.

DHS Puts Out Guidance on Care Center Staff Bonuses

On December 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

$50 million in American Rescue Plan funding will be sent to care centers soon to provide retention and recruitment bonuses for employees. Although the initial announcement indicated the money would arrive in December, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) plans to send the funding out on the Jan. 4 remittance advice due to red tape within the agency. Each care center will receive $10.97 times their number of Medicaid resident days on the 2020 cost report.

American Rescue Plan Funds to be Sent to Care Centers to Fund Bonuses

On December 2, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is developing plans to distribute the $50 million in American Rescue Plan funds to care centers after an announcement from Gov. Walz last week. This funding is to provide recruitment and retention bonuses to staff when staffing shortages are having a significant impact on care centers statewide. The Long-Term Care Imperative is pleased that the Administration has heard our workforce concerns and is taking steps to address that problem.

New Gerontology and Aging Care Program Advances Caregivers

On October 28, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

Looking for a way to grow caregivers within your organization or help staff advance in their career path? Northwest Technical College is offering an online course to advance the specialty of caregivers in aging services. The Gerontology and Aging Care program is a two-semester online course that is appropriate for any staff member. Caregivers, culinary staff, housekeeping, administration, and other team members can benefit from specializing in gerontology.

Advance Caregivers with New Gerontology and Aging Care Program

On October 14, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

Looking for a way to grow caregivers within your organization or help staff advance in their career path? Northwest Technical College is offering an online course to advance the specialty of caregivers in aging services.

Workshop to Recruit and Retain Caregivers

On October 7, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

The National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) is hosting a workshop titled, The New CNA Workforce: Frontline Lessons from the Pandemic on Nov. 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Register here today!

CNA Staffing Summit Announced

On September 30, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman

The National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) and CNAs for Quality Care have announced the first-ever CNA Staffing Summit to be held on Oct. 20, 2020, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Click here to register for the virtual event.

Online Calculator: What’s Your Turnover Cost?

On January 7, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman

An organization that averages 40 staff terminations per year is spending at least $180,000. What’s your turnover cost? A new online calculator from LeadingAge can help you see how much staff turnover is costing your community. 

In 2020, Roll Up Your Sleeves

On December 18, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman

Working side-by-side with frontline staff can help develop relationships between supervisors and direct reports and goes a long way in establishing trust and respect. Make 2020 the year you set the example. Walk the walk and model the behavior you expect to see from others.