Statewide Survey on Staffing Crisis Will Inform Solutions

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

LeadingAge Minnesota has been working intensively with state agency leaders to illustrate the seriousness and urgency of the workforce crisis facing providers and collaborate on identifying solutions and support to respond.

To further assess the depth of our workforce crisis and its impact on operations, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is encouraging assisted living and nursing home providers to complete this LTC Crisis Staffing Self-Assessment by noon Monday, Oct. 4.

This voluntary survey was collaboratively developed by a workforce shortage workgroup, including representation from LeadingAge Minnesota, MDH, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Department of Employment and Economic Development, and our Long-Term Care Imperative partner. It asks providers to answer eight questions relating to your workforce situation, including the impact on resident care, how many scheduled shifts are open, the immediacy of the need, and your ability to accept new admissions. The results will allow measurement of need across four levels (green/yellow/orange/red). MDH affirmed on its Sept. 29 COVID-19 weekly call that information submitted will not be provided to surveyors.

From this point forward, the state will encourage providers to complete this survey every two weeks so that the state remains connected to the ongoing situation in LTC facilities, allowing it to address support as the condition progresses.

Participation is not required but will provide critical baseline data needed for initiating approaches to address the current workforce crisis and valuable insights as we continue working to determine the level and type of resources to deploy. Please contact Jonathan Lips with any questions.