A resident and student of Merakey Allegheny Valley School in Slippery Rock is calling attention to a worker shortage not just at his facility, but other care centers state-and-nationwide.
Eric Simonsen says he wants to see more staff at Merakey, which is a nonprofit that provides homes and a full-range of day programming services to adults with all levels of intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization operates facilities in nine Pennsylvania counties, including one in Slippery Rock.
Simonsen has relayed his problem to the Butler County board of commissioners, who agreed a lack of care providers is a big issue facing the entire state and beyond. Chairman of the board Leslie Osche said the concern has been brought up at statewide meetings, and committees are working on coming up with solutions to address it.
“This is a crisis nationwide- the shortage of care workers. And especially in Pennsylvania,” Osche said. “We have a shortage of people.”
She said it could be helped by different recruitment efforts in local schools and colleges to get young people interested in these types of care careers. The state county commissioners association is working on ways to recruit caregivers and caseworkers for various care providers.
Leah McQuire is a program instructor at Merakey. She said to fill the void in staff members, the company will often bring in temp workers, many of whom are not familiar with the clients’ specific needs and health issues.
“It could be life or death for these people,” McQuire said.
Merakey currently serves about 100 adults in Butler County.
