| LeadingAge Wisconsin is pioneering an impactful initiative to tackle the critical long-term care workforce shortage. We are united in our commitment to making a significant difference. Through our Research and Education Foundation (R&E), we have successfully launched the Geriatric Career Development (GCD) program as a pilot at Ovation Communities in Milwaukee. Now, we are poised to expand this vital program to communities throughout Wisconsin. |
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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. This includes dropouts, students with credit or skill deficiencies, those struggling with truancy, or involvement in delinquency. These students often come from ethnic minority backgrounds, have disabilities, and experience low socioeconomic status. Dropping out of high school significantly diminishes future prospects, leading to limited job opportunities, reduced income potential, higher rates of unemployment, increased risk of incarceration, and greater reliance on government assistance.
Our youth are the foundation of our future workforce, engaged citizens, and community leaders. Education remains the most powerful tool for personal empowerment and for enhancing the economic, social, and personal well-being of all individuals. Our vision is to ensure all young people receive an education that equips them to become informed, responsible, socially adept, healthy, compassionate, and contributing members of society.
The Urgent Long-Term Care Workforce Crisis
Wisconsin’s long-term and residential care facilities are currently grappling with severe caregiver shortages, reaching critical vacancy rates.
How are long-term care providers managing this crisis?
- They are forced to restrict new admissions.
- They heavily depend on existing staff to cover open shifts. Alarmingly, nearly 84 percent of providers resort to overtime, double shifts, and similar measures to fill staffing gaps. These strategies are not only costly but also contribute to caregiver burnout and reduced quality of care.
Building a Vital Connection
The Research & Education Foundation is actively constructing a bridge connecting at-risk students with long-term care providers through the GCD program.
Our vision is to inspire young people and cultivate the next generation of dedicated geriatric healthcare professionals. The GCD program achieves this by providing meaningful job opportunities within member/subscriber long-term care provider organizations. Simultaneously, GCD addresses the educational achievement gap faced by at-risk students from challenging socio-economic backgrounds.
R&E carefully selects students from partner high schools to participate in the GCD program. These students make a three-year commitment, participating throughout grades 10, 11, and 12. They dedicate eight to ten hours per week year-round to the program, engaging within our member communities. Students benefit from a comprehensive program that includes:
- Guidance from Elder Mentors
- Enriching Intergenerational Programs
- Focused Tutoring Support
- Literacy Enhancement Initiatives
- Essential Life Skills Counseling
- Personalized Individual Coaching Sessions
- Foundational Elder Care Training
- Exploration of Diverse Health Careers
- Bereavement and Grief Training
- Departmental Internship Experiences
- Practical Clinical Skills Training
Expanding the Circle of Impact
Through the GCD program, R&E is committed to nurturing at-risk students and paving the way for their successful futures. The program’s positive influence extends far beyond the students themselves. These young individuals will provide compassionate care and engaging intergenerational activities for residents in member and subscriber long-term care and assisted living communities. Many of these residents will be selected to serve as valuable mentors for the students, creating reciprocal benefits. The students’ families, the residents’ families, the participating schools, and the wider community will all experience positive outcomes. The transformative impact of this program is projected to grow exponentially as we expand the GCD program across the state of Wisconsin.
The Transformative Potential of the GCD Program:
- Providing at-risk students with promising career pathways, fostering family stability, regional economic vitality, and long-term upward mobility.
- Equipping new healthcare professionals with opportunities to refine their skills and stay informed on the evolving landscape of aging-related issues.
- Addressing critical workforce shortages in healthcare and strengthening programs dedicated to enhancing the quality of care for older adults throughout Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
Partner with Us to Expand and Sustain the GCD Program
The enduring success of our GCD program relies on establishing a robust and integrated network of community support. We eagerly anticipate the near future when we can extend this impactful program to your community. You can contribute to this vision now by actively building your local base of community support. Help us amplify awareness of the GCD program, the vital goals we are striving to achieve, and our dedication to collaborative community efforts serving both our youth and our senior populations.
Investing in the Future: Grants & Donations
The operational expenses of the GCD program are entirely funded through grants and generous donations to the LeadingAge Wisconsin Research & Education Foundation. LeadingAge Wisconsin initiated the GCD program with a significant foundational grant. Your financial contributions to this innovative program will directly enable us to further expand the GCD program throughout Wisconsin. Donations are fully tax-deductible.
- Major Donor (Contributions exceeding $5,000)
- Platinum Sponsor: $5,000
- Gold Sponsor: $2,500
- Silver Sponsor: $1,000
- Bronze Sponsor: $500
- Contributor: Any amount under $500
We express our sincere gratitude for the generous support from our major funders and sponsors who are making this vital program possible.
GCD Major Funders
GCD Gold Sponsors
For inquiries or to request additional information, please contact LeadingAge Wisconsin at 608-255-7060 or via email at [email protected].
