DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire's Center on Aging and Community Living (CACL), a collaboration between UNH's Institute on Disability and New Hampshire Institute for Health Policy and Practice, has launched a free online tool that provides information and career guidance to current and potential direct-care workers in New Hampshire. The Direct Care Career Guide was developed through the CACL's DirectConnect project, which is funded by a $2.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Direct Care Career Guide is an easy-to-use interactive career resource tool for individuals interested in entering the direct-care field or advancing their career in direct care. The guide identifies direct-care career opportunities tailored to fit individual needs, preferences, and career aspirations.

"This is a significant step in raising awareness of this important workforce," says Jennifer Rabalais, DirectConnect project director. "It is important that we continue to develop a vital workforce. We are excited to have the opportunity to provide people with promising new career paths that truly make a difference."

Direct-care workers provide personal support and assistance that helps individuals maintain independence and connection to their community. New Hampshire's population is aging faster than the national average, creating an increased demand for services provided by direct-care workers.

To explore the Direct Care Career Guide, visit www.directconnectnh.org/careerlattice.html. 

The CACL is a collaboration between the Institute on Disability and the New Hampshire Institute for Health Policy and Practice at UNH that is actively engaged in projects related to aging and long-term care. By maximizing available resources and providing assistance, CACL ensures that New Hampshire will benefit from an integrated center for applied research, evaluation, and trainings relevant to aging and community living.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.

-30-