Home Instead’s Greg Sanchez Awarded Worker Training Grant from CA Department of Aging

​The California Department of Aging (CDA) recently announced the recipients of their CalGrows Innovation Fund grand awards. Funds were awarded to help grow a resilient caregiver workforce across the state.
 
HCAOA congratulates California Chapter Co-chair Greg Sanchez on receipt of one of these grants based on he and his team’s plans to address the caregiver workforce shortage in the state. 

​“We are thrilled to have been selected as one of the 78 organizations across California to be awarded the CalGrows Innovation Fund grant award,” said Greg Sanchez Jr., Ph.D., owner of the Home Instead Pasadena and Monrovia franchise offices. 

“Our program addresses the need for more individuals of diverse backgrounds to enter the non-medical home care aid career path to support the rapidly growing aging adult population in California. Our goal is to reduce barriers to training participation and job turnover by offering a structured training and peer mentoring program with financial support to address key challenges that most caregivers face in starting a career in home care," said Sanchez.
 
In his innovative program, Dr. Sanchez leveraged his experience as a research scientist and academic to enhance existing training standards with established curriculums and training platforms, creating a robust 40-hour new employee orientation that equips his care professionals with the knowledge and training to be successful. The program also offers ongoing in-person and online training, coupled with job shadowing opportunities alongside a seasoned care professional. These efforts have enabled Dr. Sanchez and his team to partner with local school districts and the America’s Job Centers of California to introduce the role of direct care worker to the community.
 
“We are so excited that Home Instead was awarded this grant to improve training of home care professionals,” said HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak. “Greg’s efforts demonstrate his commitment to aging adults and their families, the home care workforce, and our industry as a whole.”
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