 | Popular Searches |
Login |
Symposium Presentation MaterialsThursday May 8, 2008Representatives from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Labor will welcome attendees and provide an overview of the themes and goals of the event. Participants will hear about current demographic trends and future economic projections with regard to the direct service workforce across disability and aging populations. Finally, a panel from the DSW Resource Center will discuss the extent to which workforce challenges and solutions are similar across different segments of the workforce that serve different consumer population groups and share a set of thoughts and ideas for ways direct service workforce challenges might be addressed in partnership. Dorie Seavey, PhD, PHI Steven Edelstein, JD, PHI Amy Hewitt, PhD, University of Minnesota Research and Training Center on Community Living Michael Hoge, PhD, The Annapolis Coalition on the Behavioral Health Workforce
1. Raising Awareness: Broad Recruitment Strategies: In this breakout session, panelists will describe different strategies they have used for raising public awareness about the direct service workforce field and attracting new workers into the field. These include joint recruitment initiatives with community partners, large-scale marketing campaigns and web-based worker registries. Attendees will be invited to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of recruitment strategies, as well as successes and challenges they have experienced in recruitment. Sheryl Larson, PhD, University of Minnesota Research and Training Center on Community Living Scott Sheely, Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board Paul Choquette, Rhode Island Department of Human Services Renee Settles-Bean, University of Delaware, Center for Disability Studies Tim O’Brien, Illinois Direct Support Professionals (IDSP)
2. Registered Apprenticeship: This session will provide an overview of the Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship program. Agency representatives and workers who have participated in apprenticeship programs for Home Health Aides and Direct Support Professionals will present about their experiences, as well as the benefits, facilitators and challenges of these programs. Laura Ginsberg, Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of Labor Roberta Sutton, Developmental Services, Inc. Veronica Anderson, Developmental Services, Inc. Maureen Sheahan, PHI and Sally Frisbey, Harbor Home Healthcare
3. Housing and Workforce Policy Connections: This session will highlight areas where workforce policy and housing policy intersect and affect one another. Representatives from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Housing and Urban Development will present different strategies and opportunities for collaborations across the housing and workforce systems that would promote both the goal of strengthening the workforce in home and community based settings as well as providing affordable and accessible housing options for workers, older adults and people with disabilities. Kate King, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Renee Kneppar, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Leigh van Rij, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Carol Payne, HUD Baltimore Field Office
4. Focus on Workers' Health: Health Insurance and Workers' Compensation Strategies: In this session, panelists will provide an overview of the health status of workers, health risks that accompany this job, and the extent to which DSWs working in different settings have health insurance coverage. Participants will learn about different strategies states and providers have used to provide health care coverage and workers compensation coverage to this workforce, and what impact these efforts have had on recruitment and retention. Carol Regan, MPH, PHI Michael Hanshew, Policy for Consumer Direct Personal Care (CDPC), Montana Roy Burnett, Pathways for the Future Center for Independent Living, North Carolina Lois Aldrich, MassHealth Office of Long Term Care
5. Compensation Matters: Improving Worker Wages: Evidence from a number of studies shows that wages and benefits paid to workers play a fundamental role in determining the quality and quantity of these workers. This session will address why compensation matters and present a framework for understanding the range of state and local strategies directed at improving wages as well as some of the advantages and disadvantages of different strategies. Moderators from PHI will provide an overview of trends in worker wages nationally and representatives from Louisiana and Maine will discuss their states' efforts to conduct wage studies and implement wage improvement initiatives. Hollis Turnham, JD, PHI Elise Scala, MS, University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service, Insti tute for Health Policy Greg Andrus, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Dorie Seavey, PhD, PHI
During lunch, attendees will view the "Higher Ground" video about the experiences of Direct Support Professionals working in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, and hear directly from a DSP from Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans. Consumers and providers of direct services and supports will share their perspectives on the meaning of the work and the difference that it makes in their lives. Nancy Eustis, PhD, University of Minnesota, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Lisa Norah, Direct Support Professional, Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans Lynn MacDonald, Support Broker, Minnesota; personal assistance services user Don Canales, PCA for Lynn MacDonald through Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) 1. Proven Selection and Supervision Strategies: It has been shown that when certain strategies are used in the process of interviewing and selecting employees, these individuals are more likely to succeed and remain on the job. Quality supervision is also key to developing a well-trained and satisfied workforce. Presenters in this session will describe and demonstrate successful worker selection strategies, such as realistic job previews, as well as supervision strategies, such as the coaching supervision model. Attendees will be provided with information about tools and resources available to help implement these interventions and have the opportunity to discuss the role that states and agencies can play in promoting and supporting these best practices. Sheryl Larson, PhD, University of Minnesota Research and Training Center on Community Living Beth Richardson, Support Providing Employees’ Association of Kentucky (SPEAK) Karen Kulp, Home Care Associates, Philadelphia Francine Fineman, PHI
2. Support in Educational and Workplace Settings Across the Lifespan: Members of the direct service workforce assist individuals in a variety of settings, not just at home and other residential settings. They also assist people with disabilities to attend school and go to work in the community. In this session, presenters will discuss the unique training needs and competencies required for workers supporting individuals in educational and employment settings. Participants will learn about different training programs and models, discuss some of the challenges of providing support in these settings, and explore how workers can increase the chances of the people they support having successful transitions from school, to college, and to work. John Morris, The Annapolis Coalition on the Behavioral Health Workforce Teri Wallace, PhD, University of Minnesota Pat Malik, University of Illinois Urbana/Champagne Amy Miller, Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, MI
3. Credentialing Programs: This session will provide an overview of how credentialing programs work, including how the Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship program might be used as a way to implement a credentialing program. Program administrators and participants from two well-established credentialing programs - Ohio's PATHS program and the Kansas Ad Astra program - will share their experience and lessons learned. Participants will also hear about a new state credentialing initiative in Pennsylvania. Marianne Taylor, Bristol Community College, Massachusetts Joe Angelelli, PHI Amy Gerowitz, Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (OADSP) / Ohio PATHS Stacey Krohn, Bittersweet Farms; graduate of Ohio PATHS Kansas Ad ASTRA credentialing Kathy Stiffler, Individual Support Systems, Inc. Pricilla Walker, Individual Support Systems, Inc., Kansas (apprentice)
4. Peer Support: In this session, presenters will provide an overview of the peer support model for supporting people with mental illness and mental health conditions. This model relies on individuals living with mental illness providing support for others, drawing on their own experiences to promote wellness and recovery. Participants will learn about and have the opportunity to discuss best practices, challenges, and issues involved in peer support from different perspectives. Carole Schauer, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Lisa Goodale, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Michael Roaleen, Hope Network Gladys Christian, CenterPoint Human Services
5. The Power of Many: Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives: When different groups of stakeholders come together and work for change, they often can achieve more than any one of them could have done alone. This breakout will focus on how stakeholders representing different backgrounds and perspectives can work together successfully on workforce improvement initiatives. Panelists will describe their experiences organizing and participating in different stakeholder-driven initiatives. Participants will hear about how to bring non-traditional stakeholders together and engage the audience in a discussion of how to implement successful initiatives. Jennifer Troke, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment & Training Administration’s Business Relations Group (BRG) Leonila Vega, Direct Care Alliance Renee Tillman, Direct Care Alliance Renee Pietrangelo, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) Elyse Luke, Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)
Ten concurrent breakouts to review and discuss proposed thoughts, ideas, and strategies related to partnership and collaboration. Everyone is invited to participate in small group discussions to meet and make connections with other Symposium attendees, reflect on the ideas for collaboration presented in the Opening Plenary, share their own experiences with existing partnerships and collaborative efforts, discuss benefits and challenges of partnership, and identify future opportunities for collaboration. Symposium Small Group Discussion Summary (Word) or (PDF) Friday May 9, 2008Many federal departments and agencies are involved in direct service workforce improvement efforts. In this session, participants will be provided with an overview of the different federal programs and funding streams that currently support workforce development activities in states, communities and employer agencies. Attendees will hear from recipients of federal grants about their projects and the work these funds have supported. Eileen Elias, Office on Disability Maggie Leady, Montgomery County’s One Stop Career Resource Center, Montgomery County, Maryland Sherri Larson, University of Minnesota Research and Training Center on Community Living Barbara Ibanez, Direct Service Workforce Demonstration, New Mexico
1. Targeted Recruitment Initiatives: In addition to more general recruitment efforts, some states and agencies have developed targeted recruitment strategies aimed at attracting non-traditional workers into the field. This session will provide an overview of different strategies that have been used to market to and recruit workers from specific groups of potential workers such as beneficiaries of public programs (e.g., TANF, SSI, SSDI), immigrants, and individuals in minority ethnic groups. Participants will be offered practical how-to advice on designing and implementing targeted recruitment strategies and campaigns. Laura Steighner, PhD, American Institutes for Research (AIR) Tom Gloss, CESSI Division of Axiom Resource Management / Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program Trang Montgomery, Fairfax County SkillSource Center Wendy Sokol, Soreo In Home Support Services, LLC
2. Best Practices in Training the HCBS Workforce: Good training programs are critical components of a strong workforce system. This session will provide an overview of national trends in training workers to provide supports and services in home and community based settings. Participants will hear about a variety of types of training for workers that serve different populations as well, as different modes of training delivery, such as traditional classroom training, Internet-based training, and train-the-trainer models. Joan Weiss, HRSA Elyse Perweiler, MPP, RN, Past President of the National Association of Geriatric Education Centers (NAGEC) Susanne Bourgeois, Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans/ Supported Living Program Jacquelyn Walker, Ark Regional Services, Center for Professional Development, Wyoming JoAnn Candelaria, Ark Regional Services; Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Ken Gill, PhD, CPRP, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)
3. Policy Trends and Policy Trade-offs in Consumer-Direction/Self-Direction: In this session, participants learn about the current trends in states toward implementing consumer-directed models in Medicaid waivers, state-funded programs, and Older Americans Act. Panelists will describe the different types of workers working in self-directed settings, their various needs, and how they are and will be impacted by these trends. Participants will also hear about the policy trade-offs, benefits, and costs of self-direction for individuals with disabilities and for workers. The audience will be engaged in discussion to exchange ideas and provide examples of strategies for balancing worker needs and self-direction, and highlight programs that have done a good job balancing. Lisa Alecxih, MPA The Lewin Group, VP Kevin Mahoney, PhD, Boston College Graduate School of Social Work; Cash & Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation Robert Newcomer, PhD, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF; PAS Center Rick Hall, Washington State Home Care Quality Authority
4. Worker Empowerment: This session will address why empowering workers is important and describe different strategies that states, communities, and providers have used to empower workers on the job and in their communities, through training, advocacy, and membership in professional associations. Panelists will engage the audience in discussion of successful worker empowerment strategies and their impact. Amy Hewitt , PhD, University of Minnesota Research & Training Center on Community Living Susan O’Nell, UMN, Active Support Regis Obijiski, ED New Horizons and Mid-Hudson Coalition Bridget Siljander, DSP and Chair of Minnesota DSPAM Di Findley, ED Iowa Caregivers Association
5. Improving the Evidence Base for Policy Initiatives to Strengthen the Direct Service Workforce : States implementing workforce improvement initiatives must have good data in order to show evidence of their progress. In this session panelists will present about federal data collection efforts underway such as the ASPE-sponsored National Nursing Assistant and National Home Health Aide Surveys and the Bureau of Labor Statistics' ongoing workforce data collection. Presenters from the DSW Resource Center will discuss a set of recommendations they have drafted for what workforce data states should collect and track. Participants will be engaged in a discussion of their own workforce data needs, their current data collection efforts, and challenges with regard to measuring workforce outcomes. Bernadette Wright, PhD, Direct Service Workforce Resource Center Marie Squillace, PhD, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dorie Seavey, PhD, PHI and Steve Edelstein, JD, PHI
Attendees will be grouped for lunch by state to reflect on Symposium themes and discuss ideas for strengthening partnerships and maintaining the momentum after the Symposium. Robyn Stone, Executive Director of the Institute for the Future of Aging Services, will facilitate discussion and offer concluding remarks.
|
What's New
New Funding Opportunities!
Health Reform Webinar on Strengthenging the Direct Service Workforce In Rural Areas: On March 18, 2010 the Direct Service Workforce Resource Center held a webinar on strengthening the direct service workforce in rural areas. Webinar on Nurse Delegation: On February 17, 2010 Susan Reinhard, RN, PhD, of AARP and national expert on nurse delegation, moderated the webinar and provided an overview of nurse delegation. New Jersey discussed their nurse delegation pilot program and North Dakota discussed changes that have been made in their state to support nurse delegation. Webinar on the Findings from DSW Demonstration Evaluation: On November 16, 2009 Sarah Hunter from the RAND Corporation and Laura Steighner from American Institutes for Research (AIR) presented the results from the evaluation of the 10 Direct Service Workforce Demonstration grants. CMS awarded the demonstration grants in 2003 and 2004 to better understand how to improve recruitment and retention of the direct service workforce. Strategies for Improving DSW Recruitment, Retention, and Quality: What We Know about What Works, What Doesn't, and Research Gaps: This report provides examples of efforts that have demonstrated positive impacts on recruitment, retention, and quality of services by summarizing key findings from several national studies that reviewed the research on efforts to strengthen the direct service workforce. Direct Service Workforce Core Competencies Annotated Bibliography: This resource was developed in response to requests from several states for information about developing core competencies for DSWs across sectors. Although each sector has its own sets of competencies, no state or national body has yet developed a common set of core competencies and career path for DSWs across the physical disabilities, aging, behavioral health, and intellectual/ developmental disabilities sectors. This annotated bibliography summarizes the recommendations from six state-level reports, two national studies, and a Federal bill to develop such competency-based training across sectors. Strengthening the Direct Service Workforce in Rural Areas: Due to geographic isolation, fewer available services, transportation limitations, demographic trends reducing the supply of informal caregivers and less ability to recruit an adequate supply of direct service workers, many rural areas struggle with providing quality home-based supports. This issue brief contains a summary of the challenges of the direct service workforce in rural areas and strategies that rural stakeholders can use to provide high-quality long-term care services and supports. |
Blogs