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Policy and Issue Briefs

The Center for Home Care Policy & Research at VNS Health advances the national knowledge base underpinning home- and community-based services. The policy and issue briefs highlighted on this page provide syntheses of research on various topics and implications that may be of interest to home care leaders and policymakers.

Research and Policy Issue Spotlight: Pandemic Response

Sustainable pandemic preparedness is key to ensuring the safety of the home health aide workforce and the continuation of essential patient care during times of crisis. The Center for Home Care Policy & Research collaborated with various stakeholders to capture experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with lessons learned. This issue brief and accompanying documents provide project findings and present a roadmap and set of high-priority recommendations to guide pandemic preparedness.

Issue Brief and Action Checklists

Pandemic Preparedness Issue Brief

Federal Government Action Checklist

State Government Action Checklist

Local Government Action Checklist

Union Associations Action Checklist

Employers Action Checklist

Contributor List

Other Data and Reports Associated with This Project

HHA Pandemic Preparedness Panel Workbook

HHA Survey Data Presentation

Narrative of Themes Identified in HHA Focus Groups

HHA Vaccination Interview Conceptual Model

Narrative of Themes Identified in In-Depth Interviews with Agency Leaders

Research and Policy Issue Spotlight: Health Equity

Addressing health disparities and advancing equity require a robust research knowledge base to inform program development and policymaking. The Center for Home Care Policy & Research conducts extensive research and analysis on disparities in home care and hospice services and outcomes.

Health Equity

Research and Policy Issue Spotlight: Home Care Workforce and Caregiver Support

The country’s aging population and the related increase in demand for home care services make building a strong caregiving workforce a key policy priority. The Center for Home Care Policy & Research gathers insights into factors that affect both the formal and the informal workforce and interventions that can support workforce development to meet the health, well-being, and functional needs of patients.

Home Care Workforce and Caregiver Support