Authority to establish a technical assistance center for building the direct care workforce

(a) Program authorized The Secretary shall establish a national technical assistance center (referred to in this section as the Center) for, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Education, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the heads of other entities as necessary— (1) supporting direct care workforce creation, training and education, recruitment, retention, and advancement; and (2) supporting family caregivers and activities of family caregivers as a critical part of the support team for older adults or people with disabilities. (b) Advisory council The Secretary shall convene an advisory council to provide recommendations to the Center with respect to the duties of the Center under this section and may engage individuals and entities described in paragraphs (3)(B), and (12), of section 304(b) (without regard to a specific project described in such paragraphs) for service on the advisory council. (c) Activities The Center may— (1) develop recommendations for training and education curricula for direct care professionals, which such recommendations may include recommendations for curricula for higher education, postsecondary credentials, and programs with community colleges; (2) develop learning and dissemination strategies to— (A) engage States and other entities in activities supported under this title and best practices; and (B) distribute findings from activities supported by grants under this title; (3) develop recommendations for training and education curricula and other strategies for supporting family caregivers; (4) explore the national data gaps, workforce shortage areas, and data collection strategies for direct care professionals and make recommendations to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for an occupation category in the Standard Occupational Classification system for direct support professionals as a healthcare support occupation; (5) recommend career development and advancement opportunities for direct care professionals, which may include occupational frameworks, national standards, recruitment campaigns, pre-apprenticeship and on-the-job training opportunities, apprenticeship programs, career ladders or pathways, specializations or certifications, or other activities; and (6) develop strategies for assisting with reporting and evaluation of grant activities under section 305.