Caregiver Cooperatives
The co-op model provides a new way for New Mexico’s caregivers to perform their essential work - in agencies they own and operate themselves.
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A different way of doing business.
Caregiving is a vital service to the people of New Mexico, but the challenges facing workers in this industry are enormous. The cooperative business model offers a new way for New Mexico’s caregivers to perform this essential work - in agencies they own and operate themselves.
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Why start a caregiver cooperative?
As members of a democratic workplace, caregivers make decisions together and have a say in how their co-op operates. These kinds of businesses have lower turnover rates, help clients receive a higher quality of care, and enable caregivers to maintain greater control over their schedules and working conditions.
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Funding is available to launch in New Mexico.
The NM Aging and Long-Term Services Department has partnered with CCNM to invest and support the creation of caregiver cooperatives in rural areas of the state. ALTSD will be releasing approximately one million dollars in funding to groups interested in starting these types of businesses in 2023.
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What can the funding be used for?
Funding will be available to assist interested individuals and groups in rural areas with:
-start-up costs
-business development
-technical assistance needs
-implementation plans
Caregiver Cooperatives 101
Want to learn more about how caregiving co-ops work? This 45-minute video looks at how homecare co-ops differ from traditional agencies, and provide benefit to caregivers, clients, and the community.
Resources
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New Mexico Aging & Long Term Services Department
ALTSD provides accessible, integrated services to older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers to assist them in maintaining their independence, dignity, autonomy, health, safety and economic well-being, thereby empowering them to live on their own terms in their own communities as productively as possible.
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New Mexico Caregivers Coalition
The New Mexico Caregivers Coalition (NMCC) was created to advocate for and support paid professional caregivers as well as family caregivers. NMCC provides literacy, job training, and professional education so caregivers may earn higher salaries and advance their careers.
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National Home Care Cooperatives Conference
This annual conference, organized by CDF, is a wealth of information for caregivers and cooperative developers alike. Check out videos from 2021 or sign up to attend the 2022 conference, to be held on March 8 - 11 in Virginia.
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Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF)
The Cooperative Development Foundation’s Home Care Cooperative Initiative is the leading national voice in this field. Podcasts, webinars, and grant opportunities for those in urban areas are available on this page.
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Cooperative Care Employee Handbook
While every co-op is unique, this document can serve as an example. This employee handbook from Cooperative Care, a worker-owned caregiving agency in Wisconsin, outlines the policies, programs, and benefits available to their worker-owners.