KDC is pleased to announce that we were awarded two grants from the USDA. We were awarded a $200,000 Rural Cooperative Development Grant to improve the economic condition of rural areas by increasing the understanding of and support for cooperatives through education and technical assistance. The USDA RCDG funds support continued development efforts of new cooperative approaches in our region. KDC is providing technical assistance to our third broadband cooperative to bridge the gap to internet and technology access in rural Maryland. Our diverse clientele also includes a Pennsylvania grass-fed beef cooperative, two new dairy cooperatives, and a rural housing cooperative. We are also responding to a growth in worker-cooperatives by helping retiring owners convert their business to a worker-owned model. In addition to the co-ops specified in the work-plan and budget, we will be responsive to requests from new clients, and giving priority to qualified groups in economically distressed areas. Our assistance includes meeting facilitation, board leadership training, focus groups, feasibility studies, business plans, incorporation assistance, and other needs-appropriate services. KDC evaluates all projects both qualitatively and quantitatively for effectiveness and efficiency.
KDC was also awarded a $174,991 USDA Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant. The SDGG funds will be used to create better quality jobs for women of color, immigrants, and the working poor that make up the caregiving workforce through the cooperative business model. There is a national trend to support Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides becoming worker-owners resulting in improved wages, benefits, training, and workplace leadership skills. KDC continues to participate in this effort to develop and strengthen the home care co-op business model. Through the cooperative model we aim to improve job quality for caregivers through increased wages, more stable employment, consistent hours, improved training opportunities, and more opportunities for caregivers to advance their careers. In an industry where the work is emotionally and physically taxing and low paid, where benefits are limited, hours are inconsistent, and career advancement is nearly non-existent, recruitment of enough caregivers to meet demand is a significant challenge. However, caregiver owned cooperatives, which increase job quality for caregivers and provide better quality care and outcomes for patients, provides a better model. Already there are ten caregiver-owned home care cooperatives in operation around the country, and nearly as many are currently under development.
KDC was also awarded a $174,991 USDA Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant. The SDGG funds will be used to create better quality jobs for women of color, immigrants, and the working poor that make up the caregiving workforce through the cooperative business model. There is a national trend to support Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides becoming worker-owners resulting in improved wages, benefits, training, and workplace leadership skills. KDC continues to participate in this effort to develop and strengthen the home care co-op business model. Through the cooperative model we aim to improve job quality for caregivers through increased wages, more stable employment, consistent hours, improved training opportunities, and more opportunities for caregivers to advance their careers. In an industry where the work is emotionally and physically taxing and low paid, where benefits are limited, hours are inconsistent, and career advancement is nearly non-existent, recruitment of enough caregivers to meet demand is a significant challenge. However, caregiver owned cooperatives, which increase job quality for caregivers and provide better quality care and outcomes for patients, provides a better model. Already there are ten caregiver-owned home care cooperatives in operation around the country, and nearly as many are currently under development.
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