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State's Extended Care Career Ladder Initiative Funding At a recent meeting held at Alden Court Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, representatives from Senator Mark Montigny’s office, Commonwealth Corporation, the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc., the Massachusetts Extended Care Federation, the Massachusetts Council for Home Care Aides Services, and PHI informed professionals from home health care agencies and long-term care facilities about how the Extended Care Career Ladder Initiative, or ECCLI, could aid their organizations. Administered by the Commonwealth Corporation (www.commcorp.org) and funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, each ECCLI grant offers employers a chance to increase employee retention, improve employees’ skill levels, provide workers with opportunities for career advancement, and better the quality of care their patients receive. A quarter of the long-term care facilities in Massachusetts have already benefited from ECCLI funding. Terri Nowell, aide to Senator Mark Montigny, introduced the initiative on behalf of the Senator, who has championed the project and worked to increase funding and awareness. The Senator, Nowell said, believes that ECCLI has made a difference for so many long-term care facilities in the state and will continue to have a positive impact on the extended care workforce in the future. According to Carol Kapolca, ECCLI Project Director, changes made to the program since its inception in 2000, including four new types of grants and a rolling application process, have contributed to its success. She attributes the project’s growth to the level of state funding the initiative has received, adding that “other states are interested” in the impressive level of funding allotted to ECCLI. Lisa Gurgone, of the Massachusetts Council for Home Care Aides Services, explained that the new “more streamlined” ECCLI makes it easier for home care agencies to apply for grants, and hopes that more employers take advantage of the program. Alden Court itself boasts one of ECCLI’s most recent success stories. Brad Truini, who runs the rehabilitation and care center, said that after ECCLI awarded Alden Court a grant in 2007, the employee turnover rate decreased by nearly half and over 40 workers have participated in and benefited from workshops ranging from adult basic education to conflict management to Certified Nursing Assistant training. “We’re applying for another grant as well,” Mr. Truini said. “We’re hoping to introduce new programs, such as a Portuguese class for our staff and an Anatomy and Physiology class.” Those who attended the meeting were enthused by the program’s success. Carol Turell of the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent House hasn’t yet participated in the ECCLI program, but believes this is a grant that could aid in “truly bettering care for patients and allow staff to feel better about themselves and their careers.” 227 Union Street, Suite 206, New Bedford, MA 02740-5946 PH 508.979.1504 • FAX 508.979.5680 E-mail: Webmaster@gnbwib.org |