| LeadingAge Wisconsin is pioneering a vital initiative to tackle the critical long-term care workforce shortage: the Geriatric Career Development (GCD) program. This innovative program is designed to create meaningful change on multiple fronts. Through the Research and Education Foundation (R&E), the GCD program, initially piloted at Ovation Communities in Milwaukee, is expanding across Wisconsin to cultivate the next generation of geriatric healthcare professionals. |
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Understanding the Geriatric Career Development (GCD) Program
Addressing the Needs of At-Risk Students
The term “at-risk students” encompasses young individuals facing significant barriers to high school graduation. These students, often labeled as dropouts or credit-deficient, frequently come from minority ethnic backgrounds, have disabilities, or experience low socioeconomic status. Dropping out of high school significantly diminishes future prospects, leading to limited employment opportunities, financial instability, and increased risks of social challenges.
Education is a cornerstone of empowerment, driving economic progress, social equity, and individual well-being. The GCD program champions a vision where all young people are empowered through education to become informed, responsible, skilled, healthy, and engaged members of society.
The Critical Long-Term Care Workforce Crisis
Wisconsin, like many regions, is grappling with a severe shortage of long-term and residential care professionals. Caregiver vacancy rates have reached alarming levels, creating a crisis within the healthcare system.
Long-term care facilities are facing immense pressure:
- Reduced service capacity due to staffing shortages, leading to limitations on admissions.
- Over-reliance on existing staff to cover open shifts, with approximately 84 percent of providers resorting to overtime, double shifts, and similar measures. This unsustainable practice results in caregiver burnout and increased operational costs.
Building a Bridge to Opportunity
The Research and Education Foundation (R&E) is actively constructing a vital bridge connecting at-risk students with long-term care career pathways through the GCD program.
The core objective is to inspire young individuals to pursue careers in geriatric healthcare, effectively nurturing the future workforce in this essential sector. Simultaneously, the GCD program is committed to addressing the educational achievement gap faced by at-risk students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Partnering with local high schools, R&E selects students to participate in the GCD program for three years, starting in 10th grade and continuing through 12th grade. These students dedicate eight to ten hours per week, year-round, to immersive learning and practical experiences within participating long-term care communities. The program provides comprehensive support and development through:
- Mentorship from experienced elder care professionals.
- Intergenerational activities fostering connections with residents.
- Personalized tutoring to support academic success.
- Literacy enhancement programs to improve communication skills.
- Life skills counseling to build essential personal and professional competencies.
- Individual coaching sessions for personalized guidance and support.
- Foundational training in elder care principles and practices.
- Exploration of diverse healthcare career paths.
- Bereavement training to develop sensitivity and support skills.
- Departmental internships for practical exposure to healthcare settings.
- Clinical skills training to build fundamental healthcare competencies.
Broadening the Scope of Impact
The GCD program’s influence extends far beyond the participating students. By nurturing at-risk youth, the program paves the way for their personal and professional success. These students, in turn, contribute compassionate care and enriching intergenerational activities to residents in long-term care and assisted living facilities. Many residents also benefit directly by serving as mentors, creating meaningful intergenerational exchanges. The positive ripple effects of the GCD program reach students’ families, residents’ families, schools, and the wider community, creating a multiplying impact as the program expands across the state.
The Transformative Potential of the GCD Program:
- Providing at-risk students with promising career trajectories, ensuring family stability, regional prosperity, and long-term economic mobility.
- Equipping new healthcare professionals with opportunities to refine their skills and stay informed about evolving issues in aging and geriatric care.
- Addressing critical workforce gaps in the healthcare sector, strengthening the quality of care for older adults throughout Wisconsin.
Partner with Us to Expand the GCD Program
The continued success and expansion of the GCD program rely on robust community support. As we look towards bringing this program to more communities in the future, building a strong local foundation is crucial. You can contribute by raising awareness about the GCD program, its objectives, and the importance of community collaboration in supporting both youth and seniors.
Investing in the Future: Grants & Donations
The GCD program is entirely funded through grants and donations to the LeadingAge Wisconsin Research & Education Foundation. Launched with a significant initial grant, the program’s growth depends on ongoing financial support. Your tax-deductible donations are vital to expanding the GCD program throughout Wisconsin.
- Major Donor (Over $5,000)
- Platinum Sponsor: $5,000
- Gold Sponsor: $2,500
- Silver Sponsor: $1,000
- Bronze Sponsor: $500
- Contributor: Any amount under $500
We extend our sincere gratitude to our major funders and sponsors for their generous commitment.
GCD Major Funders
GCD Gold Sponsors
For further inquiries or additional information, please contact LeadingAge Wisconsin at 608-255-7060 or [email protected].
