The Community Care Staffing Network was established in 1998 by representatives of home care and residential care agencies, nursing homes, assisted living organizations and Olmsted County Public Health and Social Services, to address a shortage of direct care workers.  The shortage of these workers is affecting the care needs of people of all ages in Olmsted County and communities that surround the county who have physical, psychiatric or functional impairments or disabilities. 

The Network also involves home care consumers, families, advocacy organizations, healthcare providers and others, all of whom share concerns about the needs of some of the area's most vulnerable populations.   More than 30 community-based organizations and the Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, participate in Network activities.