This article is part of a series of profiles of CalChamber member companies that are contributing to the state’s economic strength and ability to stay competitive in a global economy. Visit California Works to learn more about this series and read past and future profiles.
A seismic demographic shift is underway: by 2030, one in four California residents will be aged 60 or older. As the golden years of life take increasingly complex and varied turns, the state and industry partners must adapt. Providing innovative solutions to critical support systems ahead of time will help meet the demands of a changing older-adult population.
Enter LeadingAge California, one of the state’s preeminent older adult and nonprofit provider advocacy organizations, spearheading a novel solution to the state’s emerging workforce development needs.
Its hallmark Gateway-In Project, funded by $35 million in California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) and California Department of Aging (CDA) grants, has trained more than 3,000 graduates with interest from more than 15,000 individuals eager to break into the health care field.
The Gateway-In Project trains the next generation of certified nurse assistants (CNA), home health aides and other paraprofessionals. In addition to free hands-on training statewide, it provides wraparound service financial support, job placement assistance and incentives for career growth, development and retention.
LeadingAge California and its approximately 800 member organizations are diligently preparing a future-ready direct-care workforce, ensuring more Californians will have the access to the high-quality health care needed to continue to thrive and age with dignity — all while fueling the private sector and contributing to California’s economic muscle.
Here are a few LeadingAge California member companies leading the way.
HumanGood
Team Member Empowerment
With nearly 70 communities in California, HumanGood’s mission to “inspire your best life” starts with its 5,000 team members. This commitment is exemplified by HumanGood U, offering development opportunities from CNA training to fully paid undergraduate and graduate degrees with the University of Arizona.
As California’s largest nonprofit provider of older-adult housing and services, and the seventh-largest organization of its kind in the nation, HumanGood prioritizes growth and staff development.
Since the launch of HumanGood U three years ago, 21 team members have graduated debt-free, saving an average of $10,000–$12,000 each. In addition, 133 team members have received financial assistance for tuition, and those who completed a program have a 25% promotion rate.
Eskaton
Retooling Existing Training Models
Eskaton, one of the largest nonprofit providers of services to older adults for more than 55 years, consistently demonstrates growth adaptability.
Eskaton Academy, launched in June 2023, is retooling workforce development through its innovative training models. The program combines in-person and virtual learning to cater to diverse learning styles.
The Academy’s curriculum integrates visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile modalities, providing a comprehensive education that spans both hard and soft skills. This includes critical competencies such as problem solving, communication, empathy, and practical knowledge about supporting older adults.
The training aligns with state-mandated requirements but is designed to foster deeper understanding and active participation among staffers. The impact of Eskaton Academy is evident in several key metrics:
• Elevated quality of care;
• Enhanced staff engagement;
• Improved retention and reduction in turnover rates, nearly doubling the likelihood of remaining with Eskaton (compared to those that did not participate in Academy);
• 96% recommendation rate from participants.
Equally as important to developing a robust workforce is focusing on the other half of the puzzle, retention. Retaining top talent is a common concern across industries, and empowering current team members is a proven solution.
Institute on Aging
Investing in Comprehensive Care and Compassionate Support
As both private and public sectors address workforce concerns, continued investments in equipping workforce development are critical improvements to quality of care. The Institute on Aging (IOA), employing nearly 1,000 people, enhances the quality of life for aging adults and adults with disabilities through diverse programs and services.
A cornerstone of IOA’s outreach is the Friendship Line, a toll-free “warm line” in existence for 51 years, handling more than 150,000 calls annually. It provides a vital connection for lonely or isolated adults, mitigating the negative mental and physical health impacts of loneliness, as described by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in his 2023 advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community.
As a California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) provider, IOA offers enhanced care management and care supports, improving the quality of care for low-income individuals and families by addressing social determinants of health and providing a more integrated health care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
Concerted Public-Private Effort
Making California Stronger and Better Equipped to Meet the Needs of Older Adults
Meeting the diverse needs of California’s growing older-adult population requires a concerted effort across industries and within both public and private sectors to ensure access to high-quality health care through a strong workforce.
LeadingAge California and its members continue to drive positive change in the older-adult care landscape, ensuring California can deliver the compassionate care and supportive services that older adults need, all while driving high employment for Californians and strengthening the private sector.
