Good Jobs for New Mexico’s Workforce
Background
Early in 2015, New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition (NMDCC) embarked on a three-year effort to raise awareness of the value of frontline healthcare workers. These workers include professionals such as Personal Care Assistants, Home Health Aides, Nursing Attendants and
Orderlies and related occupations. In one year, the results of this project have already expanded the target beneficiaries to include Community Health Workers and a variety of related healthcare occupations.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City sought to participate in this effort in New Mexico. Early funders included the Con Alma Health Foundation and McCune Charitable Foundation.
Recommendation to Full Task Force
- Develop a public awareness campaign for NM’s frontline healthcare workforce that includes employers, advocates, educators, and care recipients.
- Build out foundational training program for frontline healthcare workers with support from employers and educators.
- Develop communications tools and strategies that advances a foundational program with credentialing for frontline healthcare workforce that includes employers, advocates, educators and care recipients.
At the September convening, NMDCC sought input on whether there would be support and the will to host a national/state conference the following spring that would bring attention to issues of frontline healthcare workers. Task Force members were enthusiastically supportive.
