Legislative and policy leaders, along side senior and human service advocates, today announced a federal-state partnership to create nearly 300 nursing assistant jobs across the state that will simultaneously improve nursing facility safety and quality.
Using a combination of increased federal stimulus dollars and state funds, House Speaker Dave Hunt and Senate President Peter Courtney joined with Dr. Bruce Goldberg of the Department of Human Services and advocates to explain how the state will be able to move forward with plans to help pay for 300 new certified nursing assistants to work in nursing facilities across the state. The new staffing levels – recommended by a special Governor’s commission on the issue in 2007 and approved by the Legislature – go into effect on Wednesday, April 1.
Leveraging $8 to $10 million of federal funds with just $3 to $4 million in state funds to help keep our seniors and people with disabilities safe was “just the kind of offer Oregon couldn’t refuse” said Dr Goldberg.
As Rick Bennett, director of government relations for AARP Oregon, and a Nursing Facility Staffing Commission and HSCO member, added: “It’s a great day when doing the right thing is also the fiscally and economically responsible thing to do, especially now. Thanks to this effort, Oregon long-term care employers can say 'We’re Hiring!' and our most vulnerable citizens benefit, too.”
Read the joint announcement from Senate President Courtney and House Speaker Dave Hunt. Read the first snippets of coverage by the Associated Press , The Oregonian and Register Guard. Oregonians interested in CNA jobs can visit www.ohca.com to start the application process.
Learn more about Oregon’s Economic Stimulus and Recovery at www.oregon.gov/recovery.
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