Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment Opportunity Act of 2023

This bill establishes a federal grant program to improve recruitment, retention, and career advancement for direct care workers who provide hands-on support to older adults and individuals with disabilities. It would allocate $300 million annually from 2024-2029 to fund education and training programs, career pathways, and supportive services like childcare and transportation for these workers. The program requires grantees to consult with workers, people receiving care, and employers when developing strategies, and mandates reporting on outcomes including wage increases (with a minimum of $14.27/hour), job placement rates, and care quality improvements. The bill directly affects the 25 million Americans needing daily care assistance and the 7.9 million projected job openings in direct care by 2030.