WORK FORCE MESSAGE REACHING TEXAS COMMUNITIES
With the next legislative session just six months away, THCA has been working to bring the seriousness of the Texas work force crisis home to state legislators.
The effort is part of the “Localizing the Workforce Crisis” campaign developed by THCA’s communications firm, Bravarro.
Since May, one or two medium and large markets have been targeted each week. News releases are sent describing the crisis and how it will impact the local area. There have been follow up interviews in television and print media with administrators and THCA CEO Kevin Warren.
Among the markets reached have been College Station, Waco, Amarillo, Nacogdoches, Tyler/Longview, Midland, San Antonio, Wichita Falls, Lubbock, Laredo, Victoria, El Paso, San Angelo, McAllen/Pharr/Edinburg, and Abilene.
The campaign stresses the problems of turnover in direct care staff, which averages 97% for CNAs and 90% for registered and licensed vocational nurses in Texas. It also emphasizes the role lack of Medicaid funding has played in the current shortage and what that struggle can mean for families and residents.
Workforce issues will be key to THCA’s fight during the 2019 Legislative Session to convince legislators to help improve long term care in the state.
The campaign has thus far been well-received with widespread media coverage and even non-member providers thanking THCA for its efforts.