Personal Support Worker Education Fund Available in 2023-24

Ontario, Canada: The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is excited to announce renewed funding for training direct care team members in long-term care. The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) at the RIA will distribute funding for training through the Personal Support Worker Education Fund in Long-Term Care (PWS Fund), funded by the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care.

The PSW Fund provides tuition and backfill to train LTC team members through virtual and in-person continuing education that develops and fosters a skilled, motivated and resilient workforce.

“Ensuring high-quality care for our aging population means investing in team member education and training to support their professional growth and skill development as we navigate the health human resource challenges facing the long-term care sector,” says Tina Mah, executive director of the RIA.

Two education options are available in advance of the official launch of the fund in the summer of 2023:

• LIVING the Dementia Journey (LDJ)
• Learning Inter-Professionally Healthcare Accelerator (LIPHA)

LDJ participants gain awareness and understanding of dementia and the people they support who live with it. The RIA’s Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program created LDJ in collaboration with people living with dementia and their care partners.

LIPHA is a simulation, coaching and community platform providing a virtual space with simulated cases and a serious educational game for LTC personal support workers and nurses. This initiative is led by the Ontario CLRI at Baycrest and the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation with support from Launch 57 and the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest.

The PSW Education Fund started in 2017 with more than 21,000 personal support workers and other team members receiving training in LTC homes across the province. Watch for announcements of other program training dates in the coming weeks. Learn more about the fund, or enroll in LDJ or LIPHA online by visiting the PSW Education Fund website.

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About Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging

The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and care of older adults. The RIA tackles some of the biggest issues facing an aging population by driving research and innovation to improve education and practice. The RIA develops and shares solutions that make a difference to benefit older adults everywhere.

About Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care

The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) strengthen the quality of life and care for residents across the province. The Ontario CLRI is mandated by the Ministry of Long-Term Care to be a resource for the sector by providing education and sharing research and innovations to enhance the health and well-being of people who live and work in long-term care. The program is funded by the Government of Ontario and hosted at Baycrest Health Sciences, Bruyère and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging.

Media Contact

Noel Gruber

Director, Communications and Public Relations
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging
noel.gruber@the-ria.ca