Governor Evers Announces $6 Million Investment to Expand WisCaregiver Careers Workforce Development Program

Thursday, May 19th, 2022 -- 9:01 AM

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services have announced a $6 million investment to expand the successful WisCaregiver Careers workforce development program.

The program, administered by the Wisconsin Health Care Association and LeadingAge Wisconsin, was launched to address the shortage of Certified Nursing Assistants in Wisconsin nursing homes.

Following successful iterations of the program, the additional funding will expand the public-private partnership beginning summer 2022. Originally launched in 2018, WisCaregiver Careers has already engaged more than 300 of Wisconsin’s 385 nursing homes in efforts to expand the healthcare workforce.

A current iteration of the program, funded through a $400,000 Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Fast Forward grant, is on track to exceed its goal of training 500 new CNAs for employment before ending in June.

The $6 million investment, funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nursing Home & Long-term Care Facility Strike Team program, will expand the current program including recruiting qualified employers to host as many as 3,000 new CNA training slots.

Funds will support employee recruitment and success through retention bonuses, employer reimbursement and success bonuses, and mentorships. The expanded WisCaregiver Careers program is currently recruiting qualified employers.

To date, more than 181 employers have registered to participate in the program, with additional employers signing on. Interested long-term care facilities and nursing homes can contact the WisCaregiver Careers program for more information by visiting http://wiscaregiver.com.

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