Bill > HCR114

This concurrent resolution requests the Executive Office on Aging (EOA) to partner with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Aging to establish a Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub to address critical challenges in Hawaii's direct care workforce. The resolution highlights systemic issues facing direct care workers, including undervaluation, low wages, lack of benefits, and insufficient training. It calls for the creation of a hub to implement short-term strategies from the 2025 Strengthening Hawaii's Long-Term Direct Care Workforce Strategic Plan, with specific objectives including meeting with stakeholders, standardizing core competencies for aging care workers, and developing enhanced training and curriculum. The University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Aging is requested to meet with key stakeholders, improve recruitment and retention of direct care workers, strengthen training programs, and submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to the EOA prior to the 2026 Legislative Session. The resolution aims to address workforce gaps, improve care quality for older adults, and develop more effective policies and career pathways for direct care workers in Hawaii.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=114&year=2025