External Program Review Committee (EPRC) minutes
Date: July 6, 2023
DSD liaisons: Stacie Enders, Linda Wolford and Ari Dionisopoulos
Type: Whole committee
Attendees: Jodi Greenstein, Dan Baker, Kim Frost and Susie Haben
Not present: Danielle Bishop, Lindsay Nash, Antonina Puente, Stacy Danov, Victoria Anderson, Laura Daire, Melanie Eidsmoe
Agenda items
Public comments
There were no public comments at this meeting.
Vote
The committee will vote on the meeting minutes at their next whole committee meeting.
HELPS Tool
Jodi Greenstein will provide an overview of this tool for the committee during the August meeting.
Updates to share
Direct care workforce shortage
· DEED recruitment efforts – the campaign has reached millions of people, and DHS and DEED are exploring ways to find out how many people are actually taking direct caregiving jobs as a result of the campaign. · Retention bonuses – over 2000 bonuses have been given out.· PCA training stipends – 20 people have completed the training for the enhanced rate and others are in the process. · Employee-owned cooperatives – two cooperatives have officially been created. · Background studies – DHS is looking into ways to continue improving upon background studies for the next legislative session. Other strategies will be discussed after the state’s budget forecast is available. Discussion: Review of annual recommendations
2023 Goal 2: Simplify and organize online DHS materials and training resources related to positive supports or intervention services
· DHS staff have created a draft outline for the new manual of topics to be included. · The Community Capacity and Positive Supports Team is intentionally looping in other areas of DHS besides 245D-focused staff so the new materials can be used by a much broader audience. · The first new handout for the manual is under review. · The new manual will eventually include materials related to improving communication. 2023 Goal 3: Explore ways to improve access to positive support services
· DHS has assembled its core group for managing this study and has weekly meetings scheduled.· DHS will be collaborating with other state agencies on this project, such as MDH, DOC, DPS, etc. · Funding has been secured for the project. 2023 Goal 4: Support efforts to improve the direct care workforce shortage
· The intervention services study will gather public feedback on wages and benefits. DHS staff would like to not only know if workers are receiving benefits, but also know if those benefits are adequate to reflect the nature of the job, where direct caregivers might be injured.
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