Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING SUMMARY
Monday, November 4, 2002
The SRS Learning Center, Room C
2650 Southwest East Circle Drive South, Topeka, KS

NOTE: The Project website is locate at - http://www.rtc.umn.edu/kansas

Workforce Development Challenges

TOP ISSUES

• Poor wage/benefits (IIII)
• Not enough people to hire Cost of turnover (2000 per turnover)
• Poor status/image @DSP Work responsibility is HARD
• Lack of training – preservices

OTHER

• Organizational policy/procedures re: DSP respect (e.g., training schedules, damage)
• Lack of experience and training for staff, family et. al.
• Lack of peer support
• Over-worked
• Lack of clarity re: liability
• Attendance issues
• Lack of RJP
• Poor quality of supervision
• No support to go to school
• No career path
• Apathy/disconnect beginning with legislators – knowledge of role and responsibility
• Poor FLS training – access Co-worker conflict
• Type of work (e.g. lift/transfer/behavior support)
• Poor selection process – term within DD field
• Need to improve work conditions Wage parity issues within DD field
• Difficulty finding people to work with kids
• Fear of abuse/neglect – even unfounded allegations remain on record
• Hiring process & finding in self-direction

Coalition Building

WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW

• Advocacy
• Competitive environment
• InterHab focus group – recruitment/PR campaign
• Know research – focus groups/exit interviews
• Career ladder established
• Hire immediately/with a start date
• Variety of schedules offered
• Best possible rate paid/maximize federal funds
• Capacity building - workforce – regional plans 3 month review can net a raise
• Job sharing
• Staff rewards
• Training Staff recognition – immediacy is key
• Staff self monitoring
• Training in vocational and high schools (KU)
• Collaboration among agencies
• Organizations share resources - training – speakers
• InterHab provides training & direct support conferences
• Case management training and assessment online
• Idea – person w/cognitive impairment provides services for person with physical impairment
• Referral bonus Mentoring

WHAT CAN I/WE CONTRIBUTE?

Note: State wide average DSP pay - $8.20. Approximately 9000 DSPs

• InterHab
  • Training listed on website
  • Resource networks to disseminate information
  • Link to University of Minnesota, Kansas website
  • May have information to share about the big picture of the workforce
• SRS
• Capacity building
• Turnover rates – rate study
• KCDD link to University of Minnesota, Kansas website
• SACK
  • Family & consumer names/participants
  • Produce family survey Parent involvement Advocacy – to increase pay – tell the story

Finding Participants for Success

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS OF 12 ENTITIES

• # people @ each tier 0-5
• Rural/greater KS
• Urban
• Big in size
• Small in size
• Self-determination
• Consumer/family – self-directed
• CDDO
• Average % turnover/vacancy
• Provider type (residential, day, case management, family support, self-directed)
• Culturally diverse
• Demographics of workforce

*Inform of possible RRD dates 1/14-1/15, Advisory meeting 1/15

WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED?

• CLASS (SE Kansas)
• Creative Community Living Independent living centers? If an affiliate
• Direct mail to assure timely outreach Community colleges – Ron on Board
• Dev Serv of NW Kansas
• Futures Unlimited
• 12/5 – All DD systems meeting for updates/coordination
• Provider newsletter Liz – email “tickler” system

KEY PLAYERS MISSING ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

• Family members
• Direct support professionals
• Dept. of Human Resources
• Heartland Works – Chris Ketchum
• Local workforce development boards
• Apprenticeship council
• Legislators
• Payroll agent

Next Steps

SCHEDULE