SGS Call For Best Practices

SGS needs your help! We are seeking examples of how aging services workforce shortages are being addressed. We are interested in practices, advocacy, or legislation that has helped address these issues that other state advocates could reference as examples.

We are specifically looking for examples in the SGS region:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Mississippi

• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia

BACKGROUND: The Southern Gerontological Society (SGS) conducts a survey of priorities with respect to aging in the South every three years. Based on the results from the second SGS priorities survey (Survey 2.0) sent in April and May of 2021, five priority areas were identified: Internet Access, Aging Services Workforce, Poverty and Income Inequality, Health Disparities, and Informal/Family Caregiving.
(Additional information about the survey can be found in the SGS Priorities Survey 2.0 Executive Summary and the Full Report.)

The five priority areas provide a blueprint for where SGS will focus its attention and resources. As a first step, SGS is developing a white paper that will identify recommendations for addressing our region’s aging services workforce concerns while spotlighting best practices. Specifically, SGS is looking to provide a platform allowing local and state organizations that have “bridged research to practice” by applying a recommendation into their practices. SGS would like examples of how organizations demonstrate the ways they are addressing aging services workforce shortages.

We are seeking examples from the organizational level to the statewide level of practices, advocacy, or legislation that has helped address these issues that other state advocates could reference as examples.

If you are involved in or know of an organization/program addressing these issues or have an example of state legislation, please complete the form below. Here are some examples of the types of best practices SGS is hoping to identify:

• Legislation that led to increased compensation for the aging services workforce.
• Creative solutions for recruiting, training, and retaining direct care workers.
• Providing career development for employees.
• Providing a culture that improves the satisfaction of employees.
• Innovative strategies for attracting employees from unconventional paths.

Please do not feel limited by the examples above. We may not use all submissions, but we encourage you to make your suggestion even if you are unsure if it is applicable.

Deadline: April 30, 2023