Between October and early December, the Partnership’s three working groups worked to produce recommendations for action. These recommendations include potential legislation for introduction in the 132nd Maine Legislature as well as for internal considerations during Phase Two of our work (the period from early 2025 through June 30, 2025). The legislative recommendations were prioritized applying the following criteria:
- will have a positive impact on each working group’s approved problem statement;
- strategic given the political and economic environment; and
- achievable during the long session of the 132nd legislature;
All of the working groups reviewed recommendations that emerged from the The Future of Maine’s Care Workforce Planning Summit Culminating Report and ideas generated within their in-depth group discussions.
The Improving Credentialing & Trainings for the Essential Care & Support Workforce Working Group (C&T Working Group) focused on implementing recommendations to remove barriers and streamline credentialing, while also improving the quality and accessibility of training. The working group met four times from October through December 2024.
The Utilizing Technology to Bridge the Gap in the Essential Care Workforce Working Group (Tech Working Group) focused on implementing recommendations that would increase the employment of technology to automate tasks, streamline workforce deployment, support people who are currently not being served, or enhance the efficiency of the workforce. The Tech Working Group met three times in October and November of 2024.
The Wage & Benefits and General Working Conditions Working Group (W&B Working Group) focused on implementing recommendations to improve compensation, benefits and working conditions that make essential care and support work attractive and sustainable. The working group met four times in October and November 2024.