Nursing homes across the United States face a significant challenge: a shortage of skilled workers to care for their residents. To combat this issue, Dwyer Workforce Development (DWD) has stepped up with innovative workforce initiatives. By focusing on employee well-being and overcoming barriers that frontline workers face, DWD is helping grow the labor force in nursing homes and improve retention rates.
DWD's Mission to Bridge the Workforce Gap
With a clear mission to connect job seekers with employers in the skilled nursing industry, DWD is dedicated to training and placing workers in partner nursing homes. Their fast-growing footprint is a testament to the success of their efforts.
As Barb Clapp, CEO of DWD, explains, the organization is on track to train approximately 3,600 "Dwyer Scholars" in 2024 alone. This would bring the total number of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) trained since the program's inception in 2021 to nearly 6,000 by the end of this year.
The 'Secret Sauce' of DWD's Success: Case Management Support
One of the critical reasons behind DWD's high success rate is the focus on person-centered case management. Clapp refers to this as the "secret sauce" that sets DWD apart from other workforce development programs.
"This person-centered case management is the secret sauce," Clapp says. DWD's approach includes a team of case managers, career counselors, and liaisons who support Dwyer Scholars in both their personal and professional lives. The case managers offer day-to-day guidance, helping workers manage their lives outside of work and set long-term career goals.
"Some of our scholars call their case managers every day, and a lot of what [the case managers] do is coaching," says Clapp. The coaching covers everything from daily routines to balancing work and family, which helps workers establish stability and build confidence in their roles.
Investing in Workers' Success: Lyft Rides and Wraparound Services
In 2023 alone, Dwyer Workforce Development invested $1.3 million in support services for their scholars, including providing 42,000 Lyft rides to help trainees get to their training sessions and jobs. This comprehensive support system has resulted in high completion and placement rates for CNA training.
As Clapp explains, DWD's placement rates far exceed the national average. Currently, 81% of Dwyer Scholars have completed their CNA training, and 86% of those have been successfully placed in nursing homes. Compared to the national average of 17% retention in their first year of employment, DWD's numbers are significantly higher.
The Dwyer Scholar App: A Digital Tool for Career Development
DWD's commitment to worker success doesn't end with job placement. The organization has developed the Dwyer Scholar App, which functions like a fitness tracker but focuses on career development. Scholars can track their progress, participate in challenges, and earn rewards like food vouchers and spa certificates.
"The app keeps motivation high and ensures continuous support for the scholars even after they complete training," says Clapp. It's just one more way DWD helps scholars stay engaged and focused on their career goals.
Promoting Career Advancement: LPNs and RNs in the Making
DWD's program not only prepares workers for entry-level positions but also helps them advance in their careers. After nine months of placement, Dwyer Scholars are offered career counseling to explore further education and training opportunities, such as obtaining a GED or advancing to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).
"Our goal is to get them to be LPNs and RNs and LVNs if we can. But to get there, it's a heavy lift," says Clapp. "Our goal is to take people out of challenging financial circumstances and bring them to a place of wealth where their families can be better."
DWD's Expansion and Future Plans
Dwyer Workforce Development is expanding its operations nationwide, partnering with nursing home organizations in Maryland, Texas, and Florida. Some of the nursing homes in DWD's network include Lorien Health Services in Maryland, Touchstone Communities in Texas, and PruittHealth in Florida.
The organization is also set to launch initiatives in Chester City, Pennsylvania, in collaboration with Widener University. This new partnership aims to address healthcare needs and create local employment opportunities.
Looking ahead, DWD plans to continue expanding into states like Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia, and Alabama.
Conclusion: Creating Opportunities and Changing Lives
The work Dwyer Workforce Development is doing in the nursing home industry is transforming not only the workforce but also the lives of those they serve. By focusing on employee well-being, providing wraparound support services, and offering career advancement opportunities, DWD is helping solve one of the most pressing issues in the healthcare sector: the lack of skilled workers.
DWD's workforce initiatives are a model for creating sustainable solutions in the skilled nursing industry. As they continue to expand, they are set to make an even more significant impact in the years to come.
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