The Direct Care Workforce (DCW) Strategies Center, funded by the Administration for Community Living, supports states in strengthening their direct care workforce systems through technical assistance, training, and resources. The Strategies Center works with state agencies and partners to improve recruitment, training, and retention, while building long-term system capacity and advancing sustainable workforce solutions.

What states will receive

Participating states will:

• Receive up to 250 hours of technical assistance (Sep 26-June 27) to advance direct care workforce priorities
• Develop actionable strategies and measurable milestones
• Access peer learning and promising practices from across the country

Example areas of support

States will work with Strategies Center staff and subject matter experts to identify goals and priorities based on their unique workforce needs. The examples below illustrate potential areas of support and are not intended to limit the scope of technical assistance.

States may receive support in areas such as:

• Retention and Worker Well-Being—Advance initiatives that improve job quality, worker recognition, supervision, and workforce stability.
• Career Pathways and Training—Strengthen training, credentialing, core competencies, and career advancement opportunities for direct care workers.
• Workforce Data and Measurement—Improve workforce data collection, alignment across agencies, workforce dashboards, and the use of data to inform policy and program decisions.
• Cross-Agency Partnerships—Align efforts across Medicaid, workforce, aging, disability, education, and economic development systems to support workforce goals.

Program activities

Selected states will participate in a structured technical assistance experience (September 2026-June 2027) that includes peer learning opportunities, expert consultation, and an annual in-person convening.

Why participate?

Selected states will receive:

• Access to nationally recognized subject matter experts
• Customized support aligned with state priorities and future goals
• Peer learning with other state leaders
• Practical tools, resources, and implementation strategies

Who should apply

States with a direct care workforce challenge they are ready to tackle. Whether your state is just beginning to address direct care workforce challenges or is ready to advance an existing initiative, this opportunity can help accelerate progress.

Ideal applicants include states seeking to:

• Develop or refine workforce strategies
• Strengthen cross-agency partnerships
• Improve recruitment and retention
• Enhance training and career pathways
• Use workforce data to inform decision-making

Apply Now

Questions? Contact directcareworkforce@ncoa.org.