Investing in People, Strengthening Care
By Kristi Ricker, BSN, RN / Clinical Education Specialist
Over the past several months, Treats Falls House has been working with Riverside Adult Education (RSU 26) to develop a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Program. One of the primary goals of the Clinical Education Specialist position was to explore whether an in-house CNA training program could work. What began as an idea quickly gained momentum and evolved into an initiative with the potential to benefit not only our organization, but the entire region.
During a recent meeting with the Workforce Development Team at Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC), they shared that there are very few CNA training opportunities based in long-term care settings in our region. Most existing programs are geared toward hospital-based care, leaving a gap in the workforce pipeline for organizations like ours that provide long-term care services. Our proposed program would help address this need by preparing CNAs for the unique demands of long-term care through person-centered, relationship-based training.
Even more encouraging, EMCC reported that they currently have a waiting list of individuals interested in CNA training and expressed confidence that they could help connect prospective students with our program once it is up and running. Their enthusiasm for this initiative reinforced what we believed all along: there is both a critical need and strong demand for this program in North-Central Maine. This feedback validates our vision of creating local access to training, opening doors to healthcare careers, and building a sustainable pipeline of qualified caregivers right here in our community.
For the individuals we support, the impact of this program could be especially meaningful. Consistent staffing and strong caregiver relationships are at the heart of quality, person-centered care. When the same caregivers are there day after day, they learn each person’s routines, preferences, communication styles, and unique needs. Over time, that familiarity builds trust and creates stability. Consistent caregivers are also more likely to recognize subtle changes in an individual’s health, identify concerns early, and advocate for needed care. For individuals with IDD, these strong relationships can play an important role in improving health outcomes and reducing the health disparities they often experience.
The benefits of this program extend far beyond our walls. By investing in and growing our own workforce, we can create new career opportunities for local residents, strengthen the healthcare workforce in our region, and help ensure that organizations like Treats Falls House can continue providing high-quality long-term care nursing services for years to come. We are also excited to explore future opportunities with EMCC to help current employees build new skills, advance their careers, and continue growing professionally.
While there is still a lot of work ahead to secure State of Maine approval and prepare for our first class, the enthusiasm and support we have received from community partners have been incredibly encouraging. Their response confirms that this initiative is about much more than filling open positions. It is about investing in people, creating opportunities close to home, and strengthening the future of long-term care in our community.
We look forward to sharing additional updates as program development continues to move forward.
