Year of Grant Award:

2004

Project Title:

Demonstration to Improve the DS Community Workforce to Support the Needs of People with Disabilities in the Community

Grantee:

Arc BRIDGES, Inc. in Gary, Indiana

Primary Grantee Contact:

Kris Prohl

Executive Director, Arc BRIDGES, Inc.

KProhl@arcbridges.com

Hypothesis:

The proposed interventions will decrease turnover by 15%, increase applicants accepting positions by 20%, improve training and worker recognition, increase employee satisfaction, inspire public policy changes in support of higher wages and better benefits for DSPs, and improve client care and client satisfaction.

Interventions:

1. Market agency’s cafeteria plan insurance benefits to direct care workers.
2. Implement career ladder, offering employees training and pay incentive ($.10 per hour increase) for completion of each training module
3. Travel allowance for Residential and Supported Living DSPs who travel over 10 miles per trip to their assigned area of work.
4. Implement mentoring program to support the Residential and Supported Living DSPs.  Each mentor will be awarded $500 annually for participation.
5. Implement Longevity Bonus to DSPs who complete 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months of employment.
6. Promote change in public policy regarding the direct service workforce and job restructuring for direct care workers.
7. Offer DSPs an advance education opportunity to earn a Career Development Certificate (CDC) in Developmental Disabilities with Ivy Tech State College.
8. Offer current DSPs a friend referral bonus that is paid upon completion of the referral's 6, 12, 18, and 24 month of employment as a DSP.

Evaluator:

Richard Hug

Indiana University Northwest

Read about:

Indiana's Staff Quality Survey

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