Florida PAS Workforce Library

The following is a list of PAS Workforce resources related to Florida. The list is provided and maintained by the National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce. Each citation contains an abstract and information about how to obtain the entire version.

---

Polivka, Larry, and Mary Oakley. (July 2000). Long-term care in Florida: Past, present and the future. Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging.

Abstract:

The purpose of this report is to examine Florida's commitment to changing their long-term care system based on policy and funding changes. The goal of these changes is to: 1) Increase overall funding of home-and community-based long-term care programs, and 2) Increase the percentage of public long-term care dollars going to home and community-based programs.

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
www.fpeca.usf.edu/Task%20Force/Publications/Documents/agenda&mins.pdf;

---

Foster, Leslie, et al. (April 2002). Cash and counseling: Consumers early experiences in Florida. Part II: Use of cash and satisfaction at 9 months. Mathematica Policy Research.

Abstract:

This survey of consumers in Florida's Cash and Counseling Demonstration program provides statistics on how consumers spent their allowances, which consumers hired as caregivers, how consumers recruited caregivers, and consumer characteristics and satisfaction levels. The study found that 20% of consumers who hired caregivers hired former home care agency workers, 47% of consumers who hired or tried to hire caregivers found the process difficult, and almost all consumers were satisfied with the program.

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
www.mathematica-mpr.com/publications/PDFs/cashconsumers.pdf

---

Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (March 2004). Chart of direct-care workforce activities in Florida.

Abstract:

This chart describes existing or enacted direct-care workforce initiatives in this state as of March 2004. The information was collected as part of a national survey of state intitiatives on the long-term care direct-care workforce. Additional details about this state may be found in the full report.

Obtain the Full Version

Available at the National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce website:
http://www.directcareclearinghouse.org/download/Florida.pdf

---

Brian Peacock Consulting, Inc. (January 2000). Make more than a living ... make a difference: Recruitment, training, employment and retention report on certified nursing assistants in Florida's nursing homes. Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

Abstract:

This report examines the CNA worker shortage in Florida's nursing homes, which threatens the quality of care in those homes. The authors identify retention as the biggest problem facing Florida's nursing homes with respect to the employment of CNAs. The report suggests that to improve the problem of CNA turnover Florida needs to market the position better, by improving job quality, and screening applicants to facilitate better matches between individuals and the job.

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
elderaffairs.state.fl.us/english/Stats/DOCS/doeacnacombined.pdf

---

Anderson, Wayne L., Joshua M. Wiener, Angela M. Greene, and Janet O'Keeffe. (April 2004). Direct service workforce activities of the Systems Change grantees. RTI International.

Abstract:

In 2001 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Real Choice Systems Change (RCSC) Grants to states and other entities working to improve state long-term care systems. Twenty grantees began one or more initiatives to improve the recruitment and retention of direct service workers. This report focuses on the workforce initiatives of these 20 grantees, with an in-depth look at 7. The report strongly recomends that policymakers, providers, and consumers address workforce problems.

Obtain the Full Version

Available at the National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce website:
http://www.directcareclearinghouse.org/download/CMSWorkforce.pdf
Available on the web:
www.communitylivingta.info/files/35/1708/CMSWorkforce.pdf

---

Salmon, Jennifer R., Carol Crews, Sue Reynolds-Scanlon, Yuri Jang, Sharon M. Weber, Mary Oakley. (November 1999). Nurse aide turnover: Research, policy and practice.

Abstract:

This paper reports the finding of a study conducted by the Department of Elder Affairs' for the 1999 Florida Legislature. The report examines the factors that affect the recruitment, training, employment and retention of qualified certified nurse aides(CNA's). Factors evaluated for the study include: salary and benefits, working conditions, career development, and the availability of training. The report found that older, African American women tend to stay in jobs as CNA's and that poor wages and benefits play a major role in CNA turnover. Recommendations for improving recruitment include targeting older workers, welfare to work clients, and students for CNA jobs.

Obtain the Full Version

To order a copy of this report, contact: Florida Department of Elder Affairs 4040 Esplanade Way Tallahassee, Fl 32399-7000 Phone: (850) 414-2000 Fax: (850) 414-2004 information@elderaffairs.org

---

Phillips, Barbara, and Barbara Schneider. (July 2004). Changing to consumer-directed care: The implementation of the Cash and Counseling demonstration in Florida. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy.

Abstract:

This report describes the design and implementation of the Consumer-Directed Care Research Project (CDC), Florida's model of cash and counseling, and draws lessons from the state's experience. Interviews were conducted with Florida state officials, state employees at the regional level, CDC staff members, and staff members of organizations providing consulting, and fiscal services under CDC. The Florida project differed from those in other states by the following factors: Reliance on agencies providing traditional services, cashing out services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, and the level of consumer responsibility.

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/FLchange.pdf

---

Zacharias, Lee. (June 2004). Cash and counseling demonstration and evaluation report on Florida paid worker focus groups.

Abstract:

This study reports the opinions and experiences of paid workers who care for children under the age of 18 with developmental disabilities in Florida's Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE ), Consumer Directed Care (CDC) program. Topics include workers' views about issues such as job satisfaction, their roles and responsibilities, and recruitment and retention. Workers expressed a need for better benefits, more service hours, and a need for peer supports. Workers responded positively to the idea of a central registry to link workers with consumers.

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
www.cashandcounseling.org/resources/20051202-160607/Gsswltc%20sharedcashandcounseling.orgLibrary%20ResourceFLpaidwkrFocus.pdf

---

Dale, Stacy and Randall Brown. (May 2005). The effect of Cash and Counseling on Medicaid and Medicare costs. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy (DALTCP).

Abstract:

This report examines how the Cash and Counseling Demonstration program affects Medicaid and Medicare service use and costs. The study found that the Cash and Counseling programs in all three states increased the well-being of adults and their access to paid personal care services. The authors say that 'results to date on costs are less clear-cut.'

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/3stcost.htm

---

Dale, Stacy, et al. (August 2005). Experiences of workers hired under cash and counseling: Findings from Arkansas, Florida, and New Jersey. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation; Office of Disability, Aging and Longer-Term Care Policy.

Abstract:

This study finds that workers in the Cash and Counseling Demonstration, in which direct-care workers are hired and supervised directly by consumers, were at least as satisfied with their wages, benefits, and working conditions as agency workers and suffered comparable rates of on-the-job injuries. However, a majority of workers were personally related to the consumers, leading to greater emotional strain and less perceived respect. Directly hired workers were also less likely to have received training. Recommendations include educational material, support groups, and information for both workers and consumers.

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/workerexp.pdf

---

Hernandez-Medina, Esther, et al. (March 2006). Training programs for certified nursing assistants. AARP Public Policy Institute.

Abstract:

This report examines certified nurse aide (CNA) training programs in 10 states. Information was gathered by interviewing key informants, including CNAs and experts in CNA training and testing. Recommendations include increasing the federal requirement for initial training to at least 100-120 hours, ensuring that CNAs are reimbursed for the cost of training, and screening training program applicants to identify needs such as remedial English or ESL classes.

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
www.aarp.org/research/longtermcare/nursinghomes/2006_08_cna.html

---

Larson, Sheryl A., et al. (April 2007). National validation study of competencies for frontline supervisors and direct support professionals. Research and Training Center on Community Living, University of Minnesota.

Abstract:

Based on surveys of frontline supervisors (FLSs) and direct support professionals (DSPs), this study looks at the relative importance of different workplace competencies. The authors suggest that the results of the surveys could inform modifications to FLS and DSP competency sets, and can also be used to assist organizations in the job application process and in planning trainings.

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
rtc.umn.edu/misc/pubcount.asp?publicationid=181

---

The Florida Center for Nursing. (January 2008). The 2007 nurse employer survey: Methods and statewide results.

Abstract:

This survey of Florida hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, public health departments, and hospices discusses statewide staffing shortages of licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants. The report includes recommendations on how to better understand and ease the impact of the shortage.

Obtain the Full Version

Available on the web:
www.flcenterfornursing.org/files/2007_Employer_Survey_Report.pdf