In a recent government meeting, the Washington State Auditor's Office presented two performance audits focusing on the recruitment and retention of special education staff, as well as the training and certification processes for long-term care workers. The audits were conducted independently under the authority of Initiative 900, which mandates biannual performance audits of long-term care.

Corey Crowley Hall, a performance auditor, reported on the progress made by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in implementing recommendations from previous audits. The findings revealed that while DOH has fully implemented one recommendation and partially implemented another, DSHS has successfully met both of its recommendations.

Key issues identified in the audits included significant barriers to accessing training and testing for long-term care workers, such as long wait times and travel distances to testing sites. The DOH has made strides in addressing these issues by allowing applicants to schedule tests before completing their training and expanding testing locations, particularly in the Vancouver area. However, gaps remain, with many residents still facing long travel distances to testing sites.

To improve access, DOH is transitioning the knowledge portion of the test to an online platform, which could eliminate the need for regional testing sites. This change aims to enhance accessibility for applicants, allowing them to take tests from home or local libraries.

DSHS has also made notable improvements, including increasing training locations and adopting flexible schedules to accommodate prospective long-term care workers. The agency has established a robust process to ensure that training content aligns with client needs, utilizing data and expert consultations to revise its curriculum.

Tracy Drake, executive director of the home care aide program at DOH, highlighted the agency's commitment to improving credentialing and testing processes. Recent changes include allowing caregivers to schedule their exams during training and increasing staffing to address application backlogs. The agency is also working to open additional testing sites, particularly in areas identified as having the highest need.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for public testimony, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder input in shaping future improvements in the long-term care workforce.