REQUESTING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING TO PARTNER WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA CENTER ON AGING TO ESTABLISH A KUPUNA WORKFORCE INNOVATION HUB TO IMPLEMENT SHORT-TERM STRATEGIES OUTLINED IN THE 2025 STRENGTHENING HAWAII'S LONG-TERM DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE STRATEGIC PLAN.

SCR 80 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Executive Office on Aging to partner with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Aging to establish a "Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub." This hub would implement short-term strategies from Hawaii's 2025 Strategic Plan to address challenges in the direct care workforce, including improving recruitment/retention, standardizing training competencies for caregivers, and gathering data on workforce needs. It directly affects direct care workers providing long-term care to older adults and individuals with special needs across Hawaii. The resolution requires the hub to report findings and recommendations to the Executive Office on Aging by early 2026 for inclusion in its annual report to the Legislature.