Recruitment

The Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) has released an Informational Bulletin stressing the pivotal role of worker registries in mitigating the nationwide shortage of direct support workers, particularly within Medicaid-covered home and community-based services (HCBS). The bulletin underscores that these registries, serving as a vital link between service recipients and qualified workers, can significantly improve beneficiary access to essential services. Emphasizing the importance of balancing safety concerns with beneficiary choice, CMS encourages states to educate both workers and beneficiaries about the voluntary or mandatory nature of registry participation....

This brief focuses on how providers can recruit and retain a direct care workforce. Considerations include inclusive hiring practices, cultivating an organizational environment of inclusivity, and providing appropriate training. Companion briefs in this series discuss direct care worker training and organizational cultural competence.