The Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to help recruit, retain, and advance direct care workers—people who provide essential assistance to elderly and disabled individuals. The Labor Department and Health and Human Services Department will award grants to eligible organizations that develop workforce strategies, with applications requiring input from direct care workers, service recipients, labor unions, and other stakeholders to ensure solutions address real community needs. Grant awards will last at least five years, and recipients must commit to providing competitive wages that meet federal and state minimums along with supportive services for workers. Congress will fund this initiative with $300 million annually from 2027 through 2032 for grants, plus an additional $6 million per year for a National Technical Assistance Center to share best practices and coordinate efforts across states and service providers. The Government Accountability Office will evaluate the program's effectiveness within one year after initial implementation and recommend improvements for future action.