A three-year, CNA training program aimed at boosting the number of certified nursing assistants in California is nearly halfway to its goal after just one year.
Launched in October 2022, the statewide Gateway-In Project so far has graduated more than 1,200 CNAs and has a goal of developing a total of 2,700 CNAs by 2026. The California Department of Health Care Access and Information awarded the state’s LeadingAge affiliate more than $25 million for the project.
“I am thrilled with the remarkable outcomes made by The Gateway-In Project just one year after its launch,” said Jeannee Parker Martin, CEO of LeadingAge California, in a press release touting the program’s success. “This visionary recruitment, training and retention initiative is designed to help tackle California’s pressing healthcare workforce shortage head-on while also creating new opportunities for residents across the state.”
The association noted that there has been high demand throughout the state for CNA training, and there are training programs in 29 of the state’s 58 counties, with students ranging in ages from 19 to more than 56 years old. The goal is to send as many students as possible into the long-term care pipeline, which is struggling with a national, historic staffing crisis.
In addition to ensuring students are proficient in nursing responsibilities, The Gateway-In Project provides wraparound support services such as childcare, transportation, scrubs and classroom materials. The press release noted that 62% of students earn less than $25,000 a year and 73% say their highest level of education is either high school or a GED.
The state has the largest number of older adults in the country and an additional 275,000 direct care workers will be needed by 2026 to meet care needs, according to LeadingAge California.
“The Gateway-In Project serves as a crucial intervention measure to create a new workforce pipeline to prepare for this growing population and avoid a crisis in the provision of care,” the group’s release said.
