Waiting Lists For IDD Services Balloon
Workforce Crisis
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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Residents Urging Action on Workforce Crisis
In the last month, more than 2,500 residents have contacted the administration and their local state senators and representatives urging them to address the workforce crisis affecting Pennsylvania’s human services sectors.
The outreach has been extraordinary! But we can’t stop now.
The House and Senate will be wrapping up their annual budget hearings over the next few days and turning their attention to crafting the commonwealth’s final spending plan before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
If you haven’t done so already, please reach out and urge lawmakers to increase funding to support human services professionals so individuals and families in need get the support and care they deserve. Ask your networks to do the same.
Pennsylvania is sitting on billions of federal dollars and state “rainy day” funds that could increase wages to help us attract and retain human service professionals. Yet, even as this workforce crisis worsens, the money remains unspent as the needs of our most vulnerable residents go unmet.
The outpouring of support so far is evidence of how this crisis is affecting individuals and families, as well as the providers and professionals who want to serve them.
But we need to do more…and we need to sustain the effort.
Please VISIT HERE to learn how you can help. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay informed of our progress. Most importantly, TAKE ACTION TODAY. Tell lawmakers to increase funding to address the workforce crisis facing Pennsylvania’s health and human services.
Thank you for your continued support.
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Last Chance to Register for the 2022 NADSP Advocacy Symposium
2022 NADSP Advocacy Symposium: Amplifying The Voices Of Direct Support Professionals
March 9–10, 2022
Register Now!
Over 300 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), self-advocates, and family members from almost every state in the country are set to embark on NADSP’s first ever national advocacy event next week on March 9 and 10. The purpose of this virtual event is to bring the DSP perspective to the forefront of Congress and the Administration during a time of unprecedented workforce challenges.
The NADSP recognizes the previous absence and critical importance of lifting the voices of DSPs to federal policy-makers so that public policy can be informed by the people who are on the frontlines of supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in the community. This 1.5-day virtual symposium will culminate with virtual meetings with Congressional leaders and staff to educate and advocate on NADSP’s public policy priorities for 2022.
Registration will close TONIGHT, March 2, 2022, at 8:00 pm EST.
ODP to Participate in the 2021 NCI Staff Stability Survey
ODP Announcement 22-022 is to inform all provider agencies employing Direct Service Providers (DSPs) that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) will be participating in the 2021 National Core Indicators® (NCI) Staff Stability Survey. ODP is requesting qualified providers participate in the 2021 Staff Stability Survey. This important survey includes questions relating to volume, stability, compensation, and benefits of DSPs serving adults 18 years of age and older.
The data gathered from this voluntary and anonymous survey will help ODP, along with other policy makers and advocates, to:
- Inform policy and program development regarding DSP workforce (DSPW) improvement initiatives;
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of workforce initiatives;
- Compare state workforce outcomes with those of other states;
- Provide context for consumer and family outcomes; and
- Create systems that more effectively collect, analyze, and use DSP workforce data.
Within the next few weeks, providers will receive an email from HSRI inviting them to participate in this Staff Stability Survey. Those wishing to participate will be furnished with a unique login that will enable providers to directly enter survey responses into the HSRI database. Results of the survey will only be reported in the aggregate, and organizations will not be identified in any way. It is recommended that Human Resources or the Payroll Office complete surveys, and responses should reflect DSPs who were on agency payroll during any period between January 1 and December 31, 2021.
The deadline to complete data entry is June 30, 2022. A copy of the survey is included to allow for preparation of data prior to completing data entry. It is a proprietary tool of the National Core Indicators® and is to be used for reference only.
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