This 41 minute video does more than highlight the major findings of The Maine Center for Economic Policy’s study of the costs born by the state due to the extreme shortage of direct care and support workers: The High Cost of Undervaluing Direct Care Work. It also provides a succinct description of the workforce and how it is paid for, data from a January 2023 survey of members of the Maine Association of Community Service Providers, and a national perspective from PHI, a national organization focused on direct care workforce issues.
Presenters: Arthur Phillips and Josie Phillips (no relation), Maine Center for Economic Policy; Jess Maurer, Maine Council on Aging; Jake MadDonald, PHI; and Leah McAlpine, Direct Care Professional with over 20 years in the field.
Most surprising finding? Maine’s lost GDP due to the extreme workforce shortage – Greater than $1 Billion Annually!