AASD and DSD eList announcement

Date: Sept. 12, 2023
To: Home and community-based services (HCBS) direct care workers, traditional personal care assistance (PCA) workers, service providers, lead agency staff, people who use services and other interested parties
From: DHS Aging and Adult Services and Disability Services divisions
Purpose: To remind traditional PCAs to apply for a PCA training stipend
Contact: admin@minnesotadswtraining.com

Remember to apply for the PCA training stipend grant initiative

Traditional PCA workers can sign up for one free training session that may qualify them for a stipend and fulfills a requirement toward an enhanced rate for PCA services they provide to eligible people. After completing all required training courses, which are also free, participants who meet income qualifications can get a one-time $500 stipend. To access the trainings and learn more about eligibility for the PCA enhanced rate, go to Direct support workers (DSW) training benefits.

Language barrier

If you cannot complete the required trainings because English is not your primary language, apply for an enhanced rate exception. To do this, create a profile at DSW training benefits, and have someone email the program administrator (in English) to explain your language needs.

Background

The Minnesota State Legislature created two HCBS grant initiatives (retention bonuses and PCA training stipends) to help attract new direct care workers and keep current employees who provide HCBS services to people with disabilities and older adults. Direct care workers can no longer submit applications for retention bonuses through HCBS workforce development grant retention bonuses because the funds for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 have been used. Applications were approved in the order in which they were received.

More information

For more information about the initiative and legislation, go to DHS – HCBS Workforce Development Grant.

Previous eList announcements

AASD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD STAKEHOLDER ARCHIVE