NC S450

Directs the Division of Health Service Regulation to coordinate a study of direct care worker wages, benefits, and their impact on employee supply and turnover rates.

Study shall include representatives from multiple state agencies and organizations including DHHS divisions, the Employment Security Commission, nursing board, health care facilities associations, and direct care worker groups.

Examines current pay and benefits, turnover rates, retention factors, optimal salary and benefit combinations, merit pay effectiveness, Medicaid incentives for NC NOVA licensure, unemployment-to-workforce training, and ways to increase direct care worker supply.

Requires the Division of Health Service Regulation to report findings to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging by October 1, 2012.