Department for Aging and Disability Services
Home MenuWorkforce Bonus Program
Closed for Applications
Recruiting and retaining a qualified workforce is important in every industry, but it is critical to the independence and well-being of individuals receiving Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
KDADS launched a Workforce Recruitment and Retention Bonus Initiative on March 28, 2022. The Initiative aimed to provide bonus pay to direct service workers and their immediate supervisors who deliver critical HCBS services to self-directed and agency-directed participants. Direct service workers and their immediate supervisors received around $2,000 for retention bonuses and $1,500 for recruitment bonuses, depending on their hours worked and place of employment.
The application period has ended. Providers and fiscal agents had, through April 29, 2022, to submit an application packet. KDADS received 212 applications for the program, benefitting 28,574 Direct Service Workers and their Immediate Supervisors. As of October 12, 2022, $50,944,068.00 has been transferred to the Managed Care Organizations that have distributed funds to providers and fiscal agents who have granted their applicable employee retention and recruitment bonuses. Completed closeout surveys and any remaining funds were due to KDADS by July 31, 2023.
KDADS launched a Workforce Recruitment and Retention Bonus Initiative on March 28, 2022. The Initiative aimed to provide bonus pay to direct service workers and their immediate supervisors who deliver critical HCBS services to self-directed and agency-directed participants. Direct service workers and their immediate supervisors received around $2,000 for retention bonuses and $1,500 for recruitment bonuses, depending on their hours worked and place of employment.
The application period has ended. Providers and fiscal agents had, through April 29, 2022, to submit an application packet. KDADS received 212 applications for the program, benefitting 28,574 Direct Service Workers and their Immediate Supervisors. As of October 12, 2022, $50,944,068.00 has been transferred to the Managed Care Organizations that have distributed funds to providers and fiscal agents who have granted their applicable employee retention and recruitment bonuses. Completed closeout surveys and any remaining funds were due to KDADS by July 31, 2023.
Documents
Direct Service Workforce Training Project
The University of Kansas (KU) and Wichita State University (WSU) worked with KDADS to develop online training courses for Direct Support Workers (DSW) in the Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program. Enhanced training of DSWs was developed to improve staff confidence in providing essential services that improve the quality of life by ensuring DSWs have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide support to each individual they serve in a strengths-based, person-centered manner that produces the outcomes outlined in the Person-Centered Support Plan.Research indicates a link between thorough DSW training and increased retention rates. Enhanced training also provides DSWs the skill set necessary to be more marketable, allowing the DSW the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, earn higher wages, and increase the quality of care provided.
Direct Support Professionals Careers
In partnership with InterHab, Sunflower Health Plan has produced videos highlighting the importance and value of the DSP position. Videos and links:
“A Great Foundation – Direct Support Professionals” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t17qiWYC9Lg
“Discover Your Passion while Serving Others” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA01f_DtraM
“A Profession that Grows with You” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfdgLW_8qtQ