ST. PAUL — Minnesota Senate Republicans on Thursday introduced a rescue package to address the staffing crisis facing long-term care centers, group homes, and home and direct care providers

 In a news release, Sen. Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls, said many of these facilities continue to face stress as staffing shortages have ravaged the industry. He said the package of bills will help these facilities keep workers and increase workers in the field. 

“We must work together to support our seniors and disability community,” Dahms said. “Our nursing home and group home caregivers do tremendous work protecting our most vulnerable. We have seen worker shortages and burnout devastate many of our area’s long-term care facilities. It is crucial we act quickly to recruit and retain qualified professionals, so our seniors and those living with disabilities are properly taken care of.” 

Expert testimony in Monday’s Senate Human Services Reform committee hearing suggests there are currently about 23,000 open positions in Minnesota’s long-term care industry, or 20% of the state’s total workforce. The release said the crisis is further compounded by the closures of residential providers, therefore driving individuals to other facilities already facing staffing shortages. As a result, individuals are faced with waiting lists and find themselves unable to access essential services.

Dahms said these combined issues are jeopardizing the well-being of those with disabilities, as well as elderly individuals that depend on the services these homes offer. 

 Key components in this plan include: 

• Retention bonuses of up to $1,000 for workers in eligible facilities 

• Hiring bonuses up to $1,500 for up to 20,000 new staff — half of the bonus will be distributed upon initial hiring, with the other half following 6 months on the job

• Training funds up to $1,500 for up to 20,000 new staff

• Continuation of Emer-gency Staffing Pool funding as training programs are used to expand the pool of qualified workers

• Temporary Permitting and License Changes allowing previously licensed nurses to temporarily practice in facilities

• Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Program Streamlining

• Move Up of Date for Advance Disability Waiver Rate Setting Change to allow programs to work together in an effective way that saves taxpayer dollars without compromising quality of care