Green Bay Reporter

Beginning mid-November, New Hampshire will implement a direct care training program modeled after one in Wisconsin. This initiative aims to address the shortage of caregivers nationwide and is facilitated by UW-Green Bay's Continuing Education and Workforce Training (CEWT) program in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Margie Reichwald, director of the Wisconsin Training Registries with UW-Green Bay’s CEWT program, stated, “As the American population continues to age, the entire country struggles to keep up with the growing demand for paid caregivers.” She added that since July 2023, over 4,000 individuals have registered as Certified Direct Care Professionals through this successful partnership in Wisconsin.

The demand for home health and personal care aides is rising due to an increasing older adult population and families needing assistance. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 33 percent growth in these jobs from 2020 to 2030.

In July 2023, a partnership was established between UW-Green Bay and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to create a Certified Direct Care Professional training program aimed at addressing caregiver shortages. The success of this model has prompted New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services to adopt it. With support from UW-Green Bay, New Hampshire’s Gateways Community Services will offer this program.

Sandy Pelletier, president/CEO of Gateways Community Services in New Hampshire, said: “Gateways recognizes that one of the biggest challenges in our field is the recruitment and retention of direct support professionals.” She noted that state funding would help create a pipeline for new Americans entering this field.

UW-Green Bay serves over 11,000 students annually across various programs and degrees. For more information about their initiatives, visit www.uwgb.edu.