Direct Care Work Force Programs and Initiatives

The WIN A STEP UP program is a partnership of the NC Department of Health and Human Services and the UNC Institute on Aging. WIN A STEP UP aims to reduce turnover of nurse aides in nursing homes through providing training, education and rewards. WIN A STEP UP stands for Workforce Improvement for Nursing Assistants: Supporting Training, Education, and Payment for Upgrading Performance.

NC NOVA is a voluntary special license awarded to adult care homes, home care agencies and nursing facilities that meet rigorous workplace standards for their direct care workers. It was created through a Better Jobs, Better Care demonstration grant awarded to the NC Foundation for Advanced Health Programs by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Atlantic Philanthropies. In July 2006, the North Carolina General Assembly adopted the NC NOVA program. The Department of Health and Human Services was an active member of the Partner Team and continues to play a key role in the implementation of NC NOVA.

Direct Care Worker Career Ladder includes the development of two new job categories, Medication Aide and Geriatric Aide.