Addressing the Shortage: The Current State of the Direct Care Workforce — Webinar on April 25
Workforce Crisis
Case for Inclusion Report: Transforming Temporary Progress Into Long-Term Sustainability
Last week, ANCOR and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) unveiled the latest Case for Inclusion report: Transforming Temporary Progress into Long-Term Sustainability. The report is a vital resource assessing the effectiveness of state Medicaid programs in serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Since 2019, ANCOR has partnered with UCP to publish this comprehensive report, combining transactional data with transformational stories to inspire positive change.
The Case for Inclusion 2024 provides a deep dive into community inclusion across three data snapshots, featuring nearly 80 measures spanning six crucial issue areas: Addressing a Workforce in Crisis; Promoting Independence; Reaching Those in Need; Serving at a Reasonable Cost; Keeping Families Together; and Tracking Health, Safety, & Quality of Life.
Key findings from the report shed light on critical issues, including notable increases in hourly wages for direct support professionals (DSP), rising vacancy rates with full-time vacancy rates increasing to 16.5% and part-time vacancy rates increasing to 20.3%, and persistent challenges in addressing waiting lists for home- and community-based services (HCBS), with 497,354 people on state waiting lists for HCBS across the country.
The report also emphasizes that 17 states and the District of Columbia have closed their state-run institutions. Furthermore, it highlights the participation of 38 states in the federal Money Follows the Person program and the approval of 18 demonstration waivers nationally addressing social determinants of health with 17 more pending.
State of the Union Address and Impact on IDD Services
ID/A Associations Share Messaging for 2024/25 PA Budget
Governor Shapiro has proposed a significant increase of funding to the ID/A system, and the legislature will begin deliberating the Governor’s plan. Now is the time to ask to secure this funding and maintain it in the next fiscal year’s budget.
RCPA has partnered with The Arc of PA, TPA, PAR, The Alliance, and MAX to develop a document for our members to share with legislators and other stakeholders that summarizes our message regarding support for the Governor’s budget. This document is now available to use. Additionally, RCPA has made available our legislative priorities one-pager that covers all divisions. We ask that you use both the ID/A document and the one-pager during your legislative visits, including those scheduled during our Capitol Day event on March 19.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Carol Ferenz.
February 2024 ISAC Meeting Materials Released
The Valley Ledger: Governor Shapiro’s Budget Is A Lifeline For Families and Individuals With ID/A, by Nancy Murray, Chair of The Provider Alliance Government Affairs Committee
Times Leader: Luzerne/Wyoming Providers Association Forum Focuses on Workforce Initiatives, Funding, Co-Moderated by RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley and Director of GA Jack Phillips
DHS 2024/25 Budget Presentation Gives Good News for IDD Providers
Today, Secretary Arkoosh presented an overview of the proposed Department of Human Services (DHS) budget in the Governor’s proposed budget he unveiled earlier this week. Governor Shapiro is prioritizing investments in IDD home and community-based service providers so that they can pay competitive rates to attract and retain staff who provide these life-changing services to Pennsylvanians.
Secretary Arkoosh stated, “It’s time to make a change,” and people need “the right service at the right time.” PA is about to embark on a multi-year wait list plan.
In September, Governor Shapiro directed DHS’s Office of Developmental Programs to begin an immediate evaluation and assessment of the rates paid to intellectual disability and autism programs that employ direct support professionals. Building on that, the governor is proposing an increase in reimbursement rates by 12%, which will invest a total of over $480 million, divided by state ($217 million) and federal ($266 million) funding for programs that support ID/A. It is proposed that the rate increase will become effective July 2024. Additionally, one-time supplemental payments to support staffing recruitment and retention were announced. These funds are anticipated to be distributed to providers in May or June 2024 and will total $109 million.
ODP will be working closely with counties to shift to management by budget rather than slots, and effective immediately, the department is adding 1,250 in Community Living and 250 in Consolidated people to the waiver capacity ($78 million in funding).
This budget also invests $934,000 to add American Sign Language and English interpreter services to program serving this population as a distinct service.
While this is very positive news for the ID/A community, this is the proposed budget. We all need to continue to advocate with legislators to support this proposal and give the ID/A services the support they need. Please share your stories with your local legislator and participate in our upcoming capitol day on March 19, 2024. You can register to participate in the event here. Also, we ask that you take the time to thank Governor Shapiro for hearing our voices and addressing our critical needs.
BHARP to Present Workforce and Staffing Report at Next RCPA SUD Committee Meeting
ID/A Community Praises Gov. Shapiro’s Budget Address, Actions on Addressing System Funding
