In an example of the activity at the state-level on the workforce crisis in assisted living, we highlight the achievements of the Virginia Assisted Living Association (VALA), which is focused on turning the tide on workforce challenges and creating more opportunities for career pathways to blossom within the senior living industry in Virginia.
The group, which is an affiliate of Argentum, successfully drew attention to its cause in May, when Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Special Advisor to the Governor for Healthcare Workforce joined the VALA Workforce Development Committee meeting. In the meeting, assisted living providers were able to share their concerns and describe the barriers they face relative to workforce directly with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) administration. VALA is working to keep lines of communication open to ensure that assisted living providers get the support they need, they said.
The workforce shortage in the commonwealth has forced the 560 assisted living communities (ALFs) to operate below full capacity. “In the last 10 years, the capacity of Virginia’s ALFs was nearly 32,500, but the demand for senior living has significantly grown resulting to the capacity being increased to nearly 39,000 at the end of 2022,” reports Judy Hackler, executive director of VALA.
In other news from VALA, several recent advocacy wins have a positive impact on industry workforce issues.
Reducing Barriers to Licensure as an Assisted Living Administrator
VALA worked with the Virginia Board of Long-Term Care Administrators and served on the Regulatory Advisory Panel (RAP) to make recommendations on the qualifications for assisted living administrator licensure. Based on direct recommendations from VALA, the RAP initiated regulatory changes that became effective Dec. 21, 2022, creating an additional pathway to licensure based on experience. The new regulations clear the way for dedicated caregivers and staff of senior living communities who did not attend college to be trained to serve as a licensed assisted living administrator.
Improving Recognition of Licensed Assisted Living Facility Preceptors
As part of the Board of Long-Term Care Administrators Regulatory Advisory Panel (RAP), regulatory changes became effective Dec. 21, 2022, to allow licensed Preceptors to count their training of administrators-in-training (AITs) towards their annual continuation education requirements for licensure as an assisted living administrator. The new regulation aims to encourage licensed administrators to become licensed preceptors through incentives. The strategy is to drive up the number of preceptors available, increasing the training capacity for AITs.
CNA Training Facilities: Amendment Expands ‘Clinical Setting’ Definition
VALA actively advocated for the Virginia Board of Nursing to make permanent a waiver, issued during the COVID-19 declared state of public health emergency, related to eligible training facilities for nurse aide training. The amendment, which became effective March 16, 2023, expanded the definition of “clinical setting” to be a location in which clinical practice occurs in a setting comparable to those in which the practice of a nurse aide may occur.
Policing Background Check Policies and Procedures
VALA advocated with the Virginia State Police (VSP) for improved policies and procedures related to how the organization processes background checks for assisted living facilities. VALA obtained clarification from VSP that ALFs may use the SP-230 form that does not require a notary. VALA received assurance from VSP that it has lowered the minimum threshold for ALFs to have access to the online portal for background checks, which will help to expedite the background check process for the ALF. Upon VALA’s request, VSP is considering changes to its policies in making background check contracts with the ALFs more accommodating. VALA also received an update that VSP is researching opportunities and requirements to expedite background check processing methods.
VALA continues to press forward on an important advocacy issue with direct impact on workforce.
Regulatory Review & Reduction
Governor Youngkin, after expressing concerns about excessive regulations that impose significant burdens on Virginia’s economy, issued an Executive Directive requiring state agencies to reduce the number of regulations not mandated by the federal or state statute by at least 25%. This requirement to reduce regulations is to help lay a strong foundation for job creation and economic growth. In response to this directive, VALA has created the VALA Regulatory Advisory Panel (VALA RAP) to review regulations. The VALA RAP is comprised of assisted living providers and is making vital recommendations for better oversight of ALFs. Recommendations from the VALA RAP will be shared with the applicable state agencies.
Finally, VALA continued to pursue opportunities that give the industry a platform to communicate with the public and other stakeholders about careers in the senior living industry and closely related issues.
Public Awareness Campaign Highlights Careers in Senor Living
“In communicating with assisted living staff, we have learned many of them were unaware of the diverse professional opportunities that existed in assisted living,” says Hackler. VALA has initiated a campaign to create informational materials about the many career opportunities in senior living and to share those materials with educational institutions, such as high schools, trade schools, community colleges, and universities, as well as with employment support agencies, such as employment commissions, Job Corps, and job centers. By educating the educators and the trainers, VALA hopes to increase the workforce pipeline for senior living.
OSHA Compliance Educational Presentation
Given the crucial role of workplace safety in employee retention and recruitment, VALA worked with the Virginia Department of Labor & Industry to create an educational presentation on OSHA compliance and enforcement statistics.
Apprenticeship and Grants Opportunities Webinar
VALA presented an informational webinar in partnership with the Virginia Department of Labor to increase awareness about Virginia’s apprenticeship opportunities and grants. VALA provided insight on how ALFs could participate in the opportunities.