News notes from the CEO June 2022

MDHHS Supports Direct Care Worker Competency Guidelines

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently stated its support for the Direct Care Worker (DCW) Competency Guidelines. These Guidelines have been developed through the efforts of the MDHHS Direct Care Workforce Advisory Committee.

Please note that the DCW Competency Guidelines are not mandated. They are intended to serve as the basis for building DCW training guidelines, credentials, and career pathways. Multiple studies indicate that competency & training standards can stabilize the workforce.

The Committee’s primary goal is to use these standards to increase affordable training options for employers and DCWs and to make it easier and quicker to hire and retain qualified DCWs. Having such standards will lead to skills that transfer from job to job across all programs in the state. They will serve as the basis for building DCW credentials and career pathways

Webinars are scheduled for June 8th at 10:00 am, June 14th at 3:00 pm, and June 21st at 5:00 pm. Link to register: https://form.jotform.com/221315629536153

Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Redesign Legislation Remains at a Stalemate. There have been no recent developments on the Senate and House behavioral health redesign proposals (Senate Bills 597 and 598 and House Bills 4925-4929 respectively). Both proposals are still pending in their respective chambers.

DCW

We expect the $2.35 per hour wage increase to be funded in the next fiscal year’s state budget. However, the potential exists for an additional wage increase particularly if the state revenue estimates released later this month are positive.

Sincerely,

Kevin McGuckin

CEO