The White House has officially designated April 2024 as Care Workers Recognition Month, marking a significant acknowledgment of the dedication and importance of care workers throughout the United States.

In the proclamation, President Joe Biden recognizes the indispensable role care workers play in society. He highlights various efforts aimed at supporting them, including initiatives to ensure proper pay through Medicaid payments, promote career programs, and improve working conditions in care facilities. President Biden underscores the critical role these individuals play in watching over our children, assisting our parents, and supporting loved ones with disabilities.

The proclamation underscores the administration's steadfast commitment to addressing disparities in the care workforce and ensuring that care workers receive the recognition, resources, and respect they deserve. Notably, initiatives such as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) have seen over $60 billion invested in the care economy. These efforts have included preserving essential child care centers during the COVID-19 pandemic and enhancing wages and benefits for child care workers. Additionally, a comprehensive set of actions outlined in a 2023 Executive Order prioritize access to high-quality care and support for caregivers across various federal agencies.

President Biden emphasizes the administration's dedication to enhancing the quality of home care and nursing home jobs. This includes initiatives aimed at increasing pay for home care workers and improving staffing standards in nursing homes. Furthermore, the administration is actively promoting apprenticeship programs to expand the pool of long-term care workers, including registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

For the full proclamation, please click here.