A group of clinical doctors listening during a meeting in hospital

A Florida health plan is teaming up with a home care firm to help solve the caregiver crisis in South Florida.

Sunshine Health announced Tuesday it is partnering with United HomeCare to recruit and train 100 home health aides for free. Sunshine Health will support UHC’s Learn & Work training program at its facilities in Broward County and Miami-Dade County facilities. After completing 52 hours of training, the graduates will be placed by United HomeCare in personal care positions for patients with complex needs.

“We are committed to investing in the sustainability of the healthcare industry as a whole to increase access to quality, equitable care for our communities,” Sunshine Health President and CEO Nathan Landsbaum said in a statement. “The demand for home healthcare has increased significantly, and I’m thrilled to be partnering with United HomeCare. This investment in the healthcare workforce will ultimately benefit our most vulnerable and underserved communities by providing them access to care where they are.” 

UNC is currently taking applications through the end of January for the first certification program. The nonprofit provides personal care, companionship and homemaker services.

Florida is at the center for the caregiver crisis. With an estimated 4.4 million seniors, the Sunshine State has the largest population of people over the age of 65, according to a report by the Florida Healthcare Association. In a survey last year of long-term care providers. FHA found 92% of providers faced staffing challenges and three-quarters were forced to use temporary workers to fill shifts.