Jumpstart the Aging Workforce Solutions (JAWS)
JAWS is a Community Conversation
When COVID-19 hit, Long-Term Care in Colorado faced a major crisis. Even before the pandemic, the industry was struggling, but the closure of seven nursing homes, four of them being in El Paso County, further exacerbated the problem, leaving many individuals without access to essential healthcare services. This is where our JAWS (Jumpstart the Aging Workforce Solutions) initiative stepped in.
Through a community conversation with key stakeholders—business leaders, educational institutions, and local organizations—we identified the urgent need for a workforce pipeline in Long-Term Care. JAWS is focused on creating opportunities for high school students, college students, and older workers, building a sustainable workforce to meet the growing demand in one of the fastest-aging states in the country.
By partnering with businesses and educational leaders, JAWS addresses this critical need, bringing new jobs and business opportunities to our community while ensuring that more people receive the care they need. JAWS not only strengthens our Long-Term Care system but also contributes to Colorado’s economic growth and supports those who depend on these essential services.
Hear from previous interns:
“Overall, this whole internship was a great experience, and I will do it again if I have the chance to!” – Guo Jing, Sand Creek HS Graduate, Class of 2023, Aspiring Healthcare Professional
“I have gained the importance of giving back to the community, the importance of others who volunteer and can be there for others mentally.” – Sarah Algertani, Undergraduate Student, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Pre-Med Track, Class of 2
Community Model to Support LTC Workforce
JAWS is aimed to build the long-term care workforce with three main initiatives: Building partnerships with CTE high schoolers, UCCS internship opportunities, and build up older workers job opportunities.
In the News
Taking a Bite out of Long-Term Care Workforce Crisis
Jumpstart the Aging Workforce Solutions (JAWS) is a new grant-funded initiative that is part of a $550,000 UCCS award. The program aims to develop a healthcare worker recruitment pipeline to help ensure there will be enough healthcare workers to care for Colorado’s aging population.
Preparing the Future Workforce
Colorado is one of the top three fastest-growing aging states in the nation, and the current long-term care workforce is not prepared to meet the demand for care, according to the JAWS grant application for funding.
Residential care settings struggled with staffing shortages prior to COVID-19, and the emergence and continuation of the pandemic have only exacerbated the issue.
JAWS Growth
