LeadingAge Minnesota

Workforce Data Portal – Now Open for the Third Quarter

On October 6, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

LeadingAge Minnesota's Workforce Data Portal is open to collect data from the third quarter (July through September). Members can also enter their quarter one and two data and view previous quarters' reports.

New Workforce Research and Insights: Opening Doors to Aging Services

On October 6, 2022 by Anna Mowry

LeadingAge has released national research findings on public perceptions of the aging services field and is developing new resources to support members with their workforce efforts.

Changes and Clarifications to the Knowledge Test for Nurse Aide Candidates

On October 6, 2022 by Anna Mowry

As of Oct. 3, nurse aide candidates have a maximum of two hours to complete the knowledge test and have up to four chances to pass the knowledge test. We have answers to several frequently asked questions about the nurse aide test.

Temporary Nurse Aide Training Program Extended in Minnesota

On October 6, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Minnesota's statewide request to extend the temporary nurse aide training program has been approved, allowing caregivers to continue serving seniors.

LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Workforce Grant Applications Due October 5

On September 29, 2022 by Terri Foley

Applications for LeadingAge MN Foundation workforce grants are available online and are due by 5pm on Wednesday, Oct.  5. The maximum award per grant is $20,000.

One Week Left: Transition Temporary Nurse Aides Working Under 1135 Waiver by Oct. 6

On September 29, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver have until Oct. 6 to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

Background

On June 6, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) terminated a critical COVID-19 waiver allowing temporary nurse aides to serve seniors without being on the Nursing Assistant Registry. Individuals had four months starting from the end of the blanket waiver to complete the required training and certification. By Oct. 6, caregivers must be on the Nursing Assistant Registry.

Grow Your Workforce with OnTrack

On September 22, 2022 by Anna Mowry

September is National Workforce Development Month, and one of the most proven member resources to grow your workforce is OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training.

Technology Grants Available

On September 22, 2022 by LeadingAge

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), through the State’s Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Initiative, is seeking proposals from qualified Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities that are interested in implementing innovative technology-related projects.

Ladders and Lattices: Grow the Aging Services Workforce Webinar

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Join in on an upcoming, free webinar, "Ladders and Lattices: Grow the Aging Services Workforce," on Sept. 28, hosted by our partners at LeadingAge.

Nurse Aide Candidates Will Have Four Chances to Pass the Knowledge Exam Beginning Oct. 3

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Beginning Oct. 3, Nurse Aide Registry candidates will have up to four chances to pass the knowledge exam until March 2023.

PHI Releases a New Report on the Direct Care Workforce in the U.S.

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

A new report providing insights and data on the nation's direct care workforce was recently released.

The report, Direct Care Workers in the United States: Key Facts, is released annually by PHI, which researches, supports, and promotes the nation's direct care workforce. The report includes workforce projections and demographic overviews of home care workers, residential care aides, and nursing assistants in nursing homes.

Reminder: Keep Transitioning Temporary Nurse Aides Working Under the 1135 Waiver

On September 8, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver have until Oct. 6 to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

Governor Walz Announces $2.5 Million Investment to Extend the NextGen Free Nursing Assistant Training Program

On September 8, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Last week, Governor Walz announced an additional $2.5 million in American Recovery Plan funding to continue the state’s Next Generation Nursing Assistant Training Program (NextGen) until Feb. 2023.

Two-Hour Time Limit for Nursing Assistant Knowledge Exam Begins Oct. 3

On September 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced that nurse aide registry candidates will have up to two hours for the knowledge exam beginning Oct. 3.

MDH Requests a Statewide Waiver to Extend the Temporary Nurse Aide Program

On September 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has requested a statewide waiver to extend the temporary nurse aide training program that is currently set to expire on Oct. 6.

CMS Researchers Enter Nursing Homes to Establish a Federal Staffing Standard

On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry

This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to conduct a four-part analysis in pursuit of establishing a federal minimum staffing standard in nursing homes. As part of their study, researchers will visit 75 nursing homes across the country over the next three months though none are planned for Minnesota sites. A national staffing plan would be incorporated into skilled nursing proposed rules published next spring.

Two-Hour Nursing Assistant Knowledge Exam Time Limit Returns

On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will extend the time limit for the nursing assistant state knowledge exam from one hour back to two hours in response to feedback from nurse aide training programs around the state.

Request for Proposals for Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Grants

On August 18, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Board, administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), is soliciting applications for grant funding for new and incumbent worker training programs.

LeadingAge Minnesota Partners with MDH to Pilot In-Facility Nursing Assistant Testing in Member Settings

On August 18, 2022 by Anna Mowry

LeadingAge Minnesota members, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), are helping expand nursing assistant testing opportunities throughout Minnesota by piloting in-facility testing in their settings.

LTC Imperative Nursing Facility Financial Survey Finds Facilities Facing Risk of Closure

On August 18, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

A recent survey of nursing homes conducted by the Long-Term Care Imperative found that several settings throughout the state are closing beds, considering a sale, or considering closing their doors. Due to lost capacity in the system overall, Minnesota seniors are losings access to care in the communities they call home.