Residential Care Facility Staffing Assistance

 

The Residential Care Strike Team and the Staffing Shortage Fusion Center have provided staffing assistance in facilities experiencing critical staff shortages as a result of COVID-19 since November 2020. In that time, approximately 1,700 supplemental staff members have been deployed to over 340 unique facilities statewide.    We recognize that workforce shortages remain a significant challenge for residential care facilities. Despite the overall decrease in COVID-19 cases and active outbreaks, the strike team will continue to provide staffing assistance for facilities to help ensure the health and safety of residents.    Beginning April 4, 2022, facilities may request staffing assistance by submitting a Staff Request Intake Form.    Staffing resources consist of clinical staff (CNAs, LPNs, and RN) that will be deployed to help bridge a short-term gap in facilities’ staffing capability. State-funded staffing assistance is currently limited for facilities:   Experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak; or Operating in crisis or contingency staffing standards of care; or  At-risk of transporting residents to another facility within 48-72 hours.   Staffing assistance is temporary and is currently planned to phase out by August 1, 2022. EMResource provides key indicators, including the number of anticipated staff shortages, and staffing levels that will be monitored and used to assess the level of support needed in facilities and future planning. It is important that facilities continue to update EMResource on a bimonthly basis.     For questions or assistance, contact COVID19_Staffing@state.co.us.