5:19 p.m., Oct. 15, 2008----The Workforce Development Committee of the Governor's Commission on Community-based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities is sponsoring a symposium on Delaware's long-term care workforce titled “Facing our Future Together” from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Clayton Hall Conference Center.

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Delaware's direct support workforce provides assistance, support and services to people with physical, developmental, intellectual and mental disabilities, as well as to the aging population. With increasing demands and changes in the national and statewide economy, the workforce is at a crossroads: the number of persons who require support to live independently in home and community-based settings is increasing, while the workforce is decreasing.

The symposium will address direct service workforce issues, challenges and solutions. It is intended to provide a facilitated informational forum for individuals who are concerned about the future outlook of the workforce as it relates to training, recruitment, retention and professional development. Service providers, direct support professionals, advocates for the aging and individuals with disabilities, consumers, government officials, administrators, educators and healthcare professionals should consider attending.

The symposium will offer presentations and facilitated discussions on issues such as collaborating across sectors to strengthen partnerships, identifying national best practices, examining policy at the state and national level, and identifying strategies that support the development and maintenance of this critical workforce.

Presenters include Robyn Stone, executive director of the Institute for the Future of Aging Services (IFAS); Dorie Seavey, director of policy research for the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI); and Bernadette Wright, senior associate at the Center on Long-term Care--The Lewin Group.

The Governor's Commission on Community-based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities was created in 2003 by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to improve community services and supports for people with disabilities in Delaware. The Workforce Development Committee, one of many subcommittees established as part of the commission, is currently staffed by Renée Settles-Bean, training coordinator at the University of Delaware's Center for Disabilities Studies.

To register for the symposium or learn more about it, contact Renée at (302) 831-3073 or [rbean@udel.edu].