CMS is pleased to announce the opening of the National Direct Service Workforce Resource Center. CMS created the Resource Center to respond to the large and growing shortage of workers who provide direct care and personal assistance to people with disabilities and older adults in the community. The direct service workforce includes direct support professionals, personal attendants, home health aides, certified nurse assistants, and others.

The Resource Center strives to support efforts to improve the quality of the workforce and to enhance recruitment and retention of direct support professionals by providing information, resources and assistance to state and local governments, policy makers, researchers, employers, workers, and consumers.

www.dswresourcecenter.org

1-877-822-2647

The Resource Center Offers...

A comprehensive on-line searchable database (www.dswresourcecenter.org) of resources, current research, best practices and policy briefs related to recruitment and retention of direct support professionals, including program materials such as such as worker and supervisor training curricula, guidance on measuring workforce outcomes, recruitment materials, and peer mentorship program designs.
Access to information, resources and advice from a diverse and experienced team of direct service workforce policy professionals through a national toll-free telephone number (1-877-822-2647).
Individualized, in-depth technical assistance for selected State Medicaid Agencies awarded through an annual application process.
The Resource Center Provides Assistance To...
Any state or local government, not-for-profit organization, employer or professional in the field can access the Center's resources and expert advice through the website or toll-free telephone number.

State Medicaid Agencies can apply for in-depth technical assistance (TA) on an annual basis. CMS is specifically targeting this TA to State Medicaid Agencies because of the key role they play in quality assurance, worker education, supervisor education for workers and consumers, wages and benefits, and provider reimbursement. States can apply for assistance with existing initiatives aimed at improving the home and community based direct service workforce, or for assistance with a new initiative. Visit the Resource Center website (www.dswresourcecenter.org) for more information.

The Resource Center's Team of Experts Includes...

The Lewin Group
Institute for the Future of Aging Services
Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute
Research and Training Center on Community Living, University of Minnesota