RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is committed to developing a more skilled and satisfied caregiver workforce to improve the quality of care and support available to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive publicly funded home- and community-based services.
“Direct Support Professionals have such a far-reaching impact on all of our lives,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. “They provide the services and supports that enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live integrated lives in their communities that align with their life goals.”
In 2023, NCDHHS commissioned a study by NC Area Health Education Centers to make recommendations to enhance the direct care workforce. The report and recommendations, which address the shortage of Direct Care Workers, including Direct Support Professionals, are now also posted on the NCDHHS website. The department recognizes how critical it is to develop a strong, well-trained workforce of DCWs to provide high-quality services in the homes and communities of North Carolinians.
The AHEC recommendations aim to enhance the direct care workforce, including DSPs, by focusing on six key areas:
- Implement an umbrella system for credentialing DCWs that incorporates new and existing training options
- Adopt common core competencies for all direct care workers
- Ensure training is accessible for all workers, including paid training time
- Develop infrastructure for the administration and oversight of credentialing
- Connect competency attainment with wage and rate differentials
- Provide additional wraparound support services to direct care workers
In late November 2023, NCDHHS announced a rate increase for Innovations Waiver services supported by $176 million in state and federal recurring funding appropriated by the NC General Assembly in the 2023 State Appropriations Act. The goal of this funding is to enable providers to make permanent earlier DSP temporary hourly wage increases or to fund a further hourly wage increase for the DSPs they employ. Each provider has discretion in how they enact the DSP wage increases, but they should all be able to make significant progress toward raising the average DSP wage to the NCGA’s target of $18/hour.
Community members are invited to attend the monthly Side-by-Side with DMHDDSUS webinar to hear the most up to date information from NCDHHS. Members may also register to participate in one of several DMHDDSUS Advisory Committees, which includes a committee specifically dedicated to strengthening the DSP workforce. The webinar and the Advisory Committees are great places to hear updates and give feedback on these AHEC recommendations as well as legislative budget allocations that impact DSP wages and people with I/DD.
NCDHHS is dedicated to empowering and supporting those who dedicate their lives to supporting others and will continue to work with the community to review these recommendations and make critical investments in the DSP workforce.
