The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has announced financial support for 20,000 direct health care workers through $116 million in funding for new-hire and retention bonuses.

The money, announced on Wednesday, is being made available through the American Rescue Plan and is earmarked for home heath care workers and community-based employees, rather than hospital workers.

“These payments are aimed at providing much-needed relief to Maine’s dedicated direct support workers and an incentive to anyone considering a career caring for older Mainers as well as for Mainers of all ages with disabilities and behavioral health challenges,” DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said. “Beyond their extraordinary care during the pandemic, the direct support workforce is central to our ongoing work to provide accessible, high-quality services to help Maine people maintain health and fulfill their goals.” 

The funding is being made available to 311 health care providers throughout the state, and may be used either as bonuses for existing workers or as recruitment tools for hiring new workers.

The funds are part of the department’s $229 million plan to improve home and community-based health care services statewide.