TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct-care workers,
such as certified nursing assistants (CNAs), are essential in
helping elders and adults with disabilities who require long-term
care to maintain function and quality of life. However, there is a
shortage of these vital frontline healthcare workers.
This is due to an aging population, with roughly 10,000 baby
boomers turning 65 every day. This trend is expected to continue
for the next 19 years. By 2020, the healthcare industry will
require 5 million direct-care workers to support the projected 117
million Americans needing assistance, making it the fastest growing
occupation in the U.S.
Recognizing this significant workforce crisis and the impact on
Florida's aged and disabled
population, Staywell Health Plan offered by WellCare of
Florida, Inc., a WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) company dedicated to serving Medicaid
members in Florida, has
established a scholarship program to promote CNA training.
"If staff shortages among direct-care workers continue, it will
become increasingly difficult to have adequate support for
individuals who wish to age in place or remain in the community
setting as they require more care and assistance with activities of
daily living," said Dr. Alan Smith,
WellCare of Florida's senior
medical director. "In addition, quality in healthcare facilities
could be impacted as research shows nursing homes with higher
nursing aid turnover levels tend to have worse quality
outcomes."
The Staywell Way Scholarship Program for Certified Nursing
Assistants in Long-Term Care will provide financial resources to
encourage students to gain training and future employment in the
field of long-term care. The scholarship program, offered through
selected colleges and training centers across the state, will fund
up to 44 scholarships valued at approximately $45,000. Each college and training center
selected will receive two scholarships for the next two years. The
scholarships will cover the entire cost of the training program and
certification.
Sixteen scholarships are going to the American Red Cross Nurse
Assistant Training Program. This nationally recognized program,
which enrolls approximately 5,400 students annually, has recently
averaged a 91 percent national graduation rate and a 93 percent
state exam passage rate.
A primary benefit of the Staywell Way Scholarship Program is its
workforce development potential. Several factors limit the earnings
of low-income adults, among them include the lack of necessary
skills and credentials and a lack of access to quality jobs that
provide opportunities for advancement.
"I began my career as a nursing assistant while studying to
become an RN and recognize the value of a program like this," said
Elizabeth Miller, president of
Staywell. "A scholarship like this could be life-changing for the
students who receive this assistance and can lead to a very
meaningful career in healthcare."
"My children get to see their mom helping people through my
nurse assistant job, as well as providing for them. And they are
excited and very proud of what I've accomplished," said
Chelle Ingram, a graduate of the
Nurse Assistant Training Program and single mother of three
children.
For more information or to apply for the Staywell Way
Scholarship Program, contact the financial aid department at each
college or training center below.
- Destin, Florida: Express
Training Services, Inc.
- Marianna, Florida:
Chipola College
- Ocala, Florida: Marion Technical College
- Jacksonville, Florida:
American Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training Program
- St. Petersburg, Florida:
American Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training Program
- Tampa, Florida: Erwin
Technical College
- Rockledge, Florida: American
Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training Program
- Sarasota, Florida: American
Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training Program
- Ft. Pierce, Florida: Indian
River State College
- Pembroke, Florida: Abba Health
Care Training
- Homestead, Florida: Jackson
Training Center
As of Sept. 30, 2017, Staywell
serves approximately 757,000 Medicaid members, of which 65,000
members are in the Florida Healthy Kids program, 101,000 Medicare
Advantage members, and 30,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
members in Florida.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in
Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing
government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through
Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans,
to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical
needs. The company serves approximately 4.3 million members
nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2017. For
more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website
at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at
https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.