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Community-Based Services Manual (CBSM)

Community-Based Services Manual (CBSM)


External Program Review Committee (EPRC) minutes

Date: Feb. 2, 2023

DSD liaisons: Stacie Enders, Linda Wolford, Toni Puente and Ari Dionisopoulos

Type: Whole committee

Attendees: Lindsay Nash, Dan Baker, Kim Frost, Laura Daire, Stacy Danov and Melanie Eidsmoe

Not present: Susie Haben, Danielle Bishop, Liz Harri, Jodi Greenstein and Mary Piggott

Agenda items

Public comments

There were no public comments at this meeting.

Vote

The committee was unable to hear one of the participants so quorum was not established. The committee will vote on the January meeting minutes in March.

Updates to share

See the agenda for further details.

Direct care workforce shortage

  • · The proposal to study and expand access to intervention services is included in the governor’s budget, but still needs to go through the House and Senate for implementation. Information on this proposal starts on page 211 of this document: Human Services 2024-25 Governor’s Biennial Budget Recommendations.
  • · The proposal to increase the positive support services rate was highlighted in the governor’s budget and an announcement, so it seems promising that it will be passed this session. However, action still needs to be taken by the House and Senate.
  • · Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Workforce Development Grant update:
  • There was a hearing with the House Human Services Policy Committee at the end of January on a proposal to increase the poverty threshold from 200% to 300%, so more direct care professionals would qualify for these grant programs. The proposal also would exempt grant funds from counting as income for tax and benefit purposes, so workers would not lose housing benefits, healthcare, etc.
  • DHS anticipates finalizing a contract to distribute the worker bonuses this month. The bonuses will be targeted to direct care professionals who have worked in the field with the same employer for at least two years.
  • The Odyssey Group is working on the announcement materials and webpages for the PCA training stipends. When those are ready, DHS will share with stakeholders.
  • Three groups have been identified so far to start employee-owned cooperatives. The grant funds will support up to 10 groups.

    • Discussion

  • Helping people improve communication skills
  • Committee representatives will start drafting materials for this project. They will target lead agencies as their first group.

    • Closing

  • Announcement:
  • · A remote service option will be available for adult day services starting July 1, 2023.

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