How Much Do Direct Support Professionals Make? Putting Wages in Context
DSP
Missouri Develops Apprenticeship Program for Direct Support Professionals
On April 4, 2022, Governor Mike Parson announced that the Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD), has developed Missouri Talent Pathways, a registered apprenticeship program that combines on-the-job mentoring and technical instruction to recruit and retain a skilled and dedicated workforce.
Visit here for more information.
MITC 2022 DSP Awards
DSPs are a vital part of agencies everywhere. MITC is awarding $5,000 in September to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who stand out and go above and beyond to provide exemplary service.
MITC values the hard work put forth by DSPs every day and is hoping to show our appreciation through these prizes!
Your participation is important — it shows DSPs you appreciate their hard and, at times, dangerous work.
- 13 Prizes Will Be Awarded
- One Prize of $1,000
- Two Prizes of $500.00
- Ten Prizes of $300.00
MITC will share the awardees’ stories with providers. The winners will be announced during DSP Recognition Week in September 2022.
The deadline to nominate a DSP is August 1, 2022. Nominate your DSP here.
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Univ. of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration Policy Forum: “How Much Do DSPs Make? Putting Wages in Context”
The Least of These: Making Disability Visible
PA ABLE Savings Program Webinar Planned for April 20
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has announced they will be conducting a webinar about the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program on April 20, 2022, from 10:00 am–11:00 am. A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualifying disabilities (eligible individuals) and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. The webinar will be presented by a representative from the PA Treasury Department.
OLTL Service Coordinators (SCs), Direct Service Providers (DSPs), Community HealthChoices Managed Care Organization (CHC MCO) staff, and any individuals that work on employment are strongly encouraged to participate in this webinar, which will help you understand the PA ABLE Program and how it can benefit the OLTL participants you serve.
Please register using this registration link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Questions regarding this webinar should be directed to Edward M. Butler, OLTL, at (717) 214-3718 or via email.
DHS Webinar on Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Benefits Counseling — April 21
Message from the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL):
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is offering a webinar on the topic of the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Benefits Counseling, which provides individuals, their families, friends, and caregivers information relative to their benefits/services and competitive integrated employment. This overview will be presented by Ms. Joy Smith, AHEDD Work Incentive Planning and Assistance, Certified Work Incentive Coordinator, Regional Manager.
Office of Long-Term Living Service Coordinators, Direct Service Providers, CHC-MCO staff, and any individuals that work on employment are strongly encouraged to participate in this webinar on an overview of Benefits Counseling as it relates to the participants you serve.
The Overview of Benefits Counseling webinar is on April 21, 2022, from 10:00 am–11:00 am.
Please register using this register link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you have questions, please contact Edward M. Butler or call 717-214-3718.
ARPA: One-Time Supplemental Payment to Address Staff Training, Credentialing, and Business Associates Programs for Employment
ODP Announcement 22-031 provides guidance about the process for providers and Supports Coordination Organizations to request one-time payments to address staff training, credentialing, and business associates programs for employment.
As part of the Office of Developmental Programs’ (ODP) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) strategy to strengthen Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), providers can receive a one-time supplemental payment. The following activities would be supported by this funding:
- Agency adoption of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) core competency training for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs);
- DSP National Association for Dual Diagnosis certifications;
- Agency completion of National Association for Dual Diagnosis Accreditation; and
- Lifecourse Ambassador Series for individuals or agency hosting of the series.
- Providers are encouraged to be creative in their proposals with an eye towards the development of creating or enhancing career ladders for DSPs, portability, and expansion of a well-qualified workforce and employing the principles of Lifecourse.
Providers interested in applying will need to complete and submit the attached Staff Training, Credentialing, and Business Associates Programs for Employment Supplemental Payment Application and submit via email to Rick Smith. Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2022. Funding may be requested up to 1% of ODP eligible service revenue from Fiscal Year (FY) 2019/2020, FY 2020/2021, or $100,000, whichever is greater.
Please see the announcement for full details of this program.
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