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Commissioners approve resolution urging federal re-evaluation of volunteer training hours for adult-care advocates
Summary
Davidson County commissioners on Feb. 10 unanimously approved a resolution asking the county’s congressional representative to seek reduction of a newly increased annual training requirement for adult-care volunteers.
The Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 unanimously approved a resolution asking the county’s U.S. Representative to seek reconsideration of recent federal training requirements for adult-care volunteers that county advocates say were increased to roughly 38 hours per year.
Commissioners said the county’s volunteer advocates who visit adult-care homes and nursing facilities help monitor resident welfare but have reported that the new mandatory annual training — described by commissioners as roughly 38 hours — is burdensome and impedes recruitment and retention. The resolution requests that federal officials reduce the training hours closer to prior levels (commissioners described a prior yearly requirement of about 14 hours) and to make annual training requirements manageable for volunteer programs.
A motion to approve the resolution passed without recorded opposition. County staff said they would transmit the resolution to the county’s congressional representative and requested assistance in legislative advocacy to restore a lower annual training requirement that staff and volunteers consider feasible.
Why this matters: Volunteer advocates provide routine oversight and contact with residents in long-term-care facilities. Commissioners said overly burdensome training requirements could reduce the volunteer pool and weaken residents’ oversight.
Next steps: Staff will forward the resolution to the county’s congressional delegation and follow up on any request for legislative reconsideration.
