Direct Care Personnel
Several challenges are associated the recruitment and retention of direct care personnel to assist individuals with disabilities. These challenges include shortages of competent individuals to fulfill the vital role of assisting individuals with disabilities, insufficient wages and benefits that lead to difficulty retaining staff, insufficient educational and employment development opportunities, and a failure to recognize this role as a true "profession" in this country.
UCP is proactively addressing the issue at both the federal and state level to change the current landscape that prevents many UCP affiliates from expanding their programs despite the growing need and demand.
Please visit
The following links provide current information regarding this issue.
Documents:
- HHS Launches Demonstrations to Recruit and Retain Personal Assistance Workers to Help People with Disabilities
- Medicaid Recipients with Disabilities Benefit from Directing Their Own Personal Care Services, Study Finds
- Understanding Medicaid Home and Community Services: A Primer
- Special Investigation Links Quality of Care to the Recruitment and Retention of Staff
- Union Report Shows Wage Crisis Facing Direct Support Workers
- UCP Testifies Before Senate on Health Insurance for Direct-Support Attendants
- Maryland Wage Parity
- Parents Wary of Claim That Federal Lawsuit Doesn't Seek DC Closure
- Direct Care Professionals Mailing Lists
- State of the States in Developmental Disabilities: 2000 Study Summary
- UCP Provides Comment on "Removing Federal Barriers to Community Living"