Direct Care Workforce

The West Virginia Medicaid Infrastructure (MIG) is transitioning to Comprehensive Employment Strategies (CES) Grant. The CES grant has 3 major goals: Maximizing employment for people with disabilities, Increasing the state’s labor force through the inclusion of people with disabilities, Protecting and enhancing workers’ healthcare, other benefits and needed supports. Review the presentation and overview of their strategic plan including a comprehensive workforce infrastructure.

These position papers completed by a work group result from the Real Choice Consumer Work Group's determination to improve the lives of people with disabilities in West Virginia and to contribute to their own recommendations and strategies on major issues. This compilation of papers address: Waiting Lists; Strengthening Personal Assistance Programs in West Virginia; and Expanding the Horizons of Employement Options for West Virginians with Disabilities.

This DVD is an education project designed by the North Carolina Real Choice Workforce Infrastructure Development grantee and it demonstrates and reinforces the various kinds of medication aide training. The DVD is part of a traditional training course but offers a visual review on proper procedure. The DVD reviews records, hygiene, supplies and provides 13 examples of the various ways medication can be administrated.

What does it take to be a direct care worker? The North Carolina Real Choice Workforce Infrastructure Development grantees designed a video to answer this question and more.. The DVD has two sections, one on public awareness which runs 7 minutes and a second piece on recruitment which runs for 5:40 seconds.

Findings from written survey of Employment Experiences and Focus Groups. The questionnaire sought to obtain information from individuals with disabilities about things that have helped them to get a job, barriers to employment, importance of medical benefits when making employment decisions, and how comfortable people feel disclosing their disability to an employer.

The IHSS handbooks were the product of many people’s efforts. The topics covered were determined by input from the IHSS Enhancement Initiative Task Force, focus groups of consumers, providers, social workers, and public authority staff in three California counties. The guide includes topics such as assessment, public authority, hiring, practical details like timesheets and benefits, communication and organization skills. Publications are also available in Armenian, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.

This study projects to 2040 the number of people ages 65 and older with disabilities and their use of long-term care services. Declining family sizes, increasing childlessness, and rising divorce rates will limit the number of family caregivers. Rising female employment rates may further reduce the availability of family care, increasing the need for paid home care. The simulations show that under the most optimistic scenario, LTC burdens on families and institutions will increase substantially.

Given the complexities of F/EA operations, it is important to refer to reliable source information such as the lists of Government F/EA and Vendor F/EA Tasks. This information will assist state and local program agency staff in understanding the requirements and key elements of Government and Vendor F/EA operations and developing a Government F/EA Policies and Procedures Manual, when applicable.

This manual talks about the steps that need to be taken in order to hire and manage a personal care attendant. Topics that are discussed in the manual include knowing what you need and want, the hiring process, tax considerations, what being an employer involves, stress management, communication skills, plus additional resources.

CMS was soliciting proposals to develop the infrastructure to support competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Funding is intended to facilitate enhancements to state Medicaid programs and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies, and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports. The demonstration period runs Jan–Dec 2007. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.