Sen. Baldacci appointed to Essential Support Workforce Advisory Committee

AUGUSTA — Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, was recently appointed by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to serve on the Essential Support Workforce Advisory Committee.

“Maine’s workforce is rapidly dwindling, and we are seeing these shortages everywhere we go,” said Sen. Baldacci. “We see these shortages in our restaurants, department stores and shopping malls, but most prominently, we see them in our hospitals and care facilities. These employees are essential for aiding in the lives of countless people, and we need to do all we can to help recruit and retain these individuals so that more people can get the care that they need.”

The new committee, established with the passage of LD 898, will be responsible for assessing workplace shortages across the state and reviewing the needs for retention and recruitment for essential support worker programs. Essential support workers are employees who provide individuals with direct contact assistance to help with daily living. Committee membership consists of representatives of both the Senate and House, advocacy and community health organizations and essential support workers.

The Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services will provide quarterly updates to the advisory committee regarding their efforts to expand the essential support workforce. The advisory committee will give a report to the Legislature on Jan. 1, 2023.