Home and community services
Workforce shortage resources for people who use services
Reducing reliance on shift staff
Alternative ways you can receive support without relying solely on staff who work hourly shifts:Life-sharing scenarios
Life sharing is a relationship-based living arrangement that matches you with an individual or a family who will share their home and life with you. The individual or family will provide a portion of your care so that you do not always have to rely on shift staff. The life-sharing process involves carefully matching people based on shared interests and lifestyles. If you would like more information about the life-sharing matching process and ongoing support options, talk to your care coordinator or tribal or county case manager.
Assistive technology and remote support
The use of assistive technology and remote support can increase your independence at home, at work and in the community. View the video, Remote monitoring starts with a conversation, for an example of how to set up technology supports. For more information about available technology and funding, you can talk to your care coordinator or tribal or county case manager, or you can visit Technology Resource Center, Minnesota's Guide to Assistive Technology and the Minnesota STAR program.
Remote monitoring (VIDEO) Technology Resource Center Minnesota's Guide to Assistive Technology Minnesota STAR program
Find local services and supports
Search city and county and tribal resources webpages for available resources within your own community, such as transportation programs, home maintenance services and delivery services. Visit Disability Hub MN - Services and supports for information about natural supports and networks.
City and county Tribal resources Disability Hub MN - Services and supports
Supporting your staff
Ways to help raise hourly wages
Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) is a service option available to you if you receive services under the home and community-based service (HCBS) waivers. CDCS gives you flexibility in service planning and allows you to direct your services, including hiring and managing support staff, within your allotted budget. If you receive services through a HCBS waiver, with the exception of the Elderly Waiver (EW) or Alternative Care (AC) program, and your needs exceed your budget, you might be eligible for the CDCS budget exception, which could increase your CDCS budget by up to 30%. This allows more funds to be available for your support needs, including staffing needs.
Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) Home and community-based service (HCBS) waivers CDCS budget exception
Based on the assessment you received, are you eligible to receive 10 or more hours of personal care assistance (PCA) services per day? If so, your PCA worker(s) might be eligible for an increase in pay and/or benefits through their agency. Your worker(s) will need to complete the required training and work with their agency to access these incentives. More information about this opportunity for your worker(s) is available on the Qualifying for the enhanced rate and/or stipend webpage.
Qualifying for the enhanced rate and/or stipend
The Making Your Case manual (PDF) and the ARC Advocacy Toolkit offer tips for effective communication skills in the legislative process and how to influence public policy.
Resources to help staff meet basic needs for work
Resources to share with your staff (if you feel comfortable or hire your own staff) to help them meet their basic needs, so they can come to work.
Recruiting and retaining your own hired staff
State-sponsored resources to post your job opportunities
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Finding Workers and Workforce Assistance webpages have tools and resources to help you find your own staff.
Resources to recruit people into the health care industry
Health Care Employee Success StoriesFind someone who shares your interests
Staff who have common interests with the people they support tend to enjoy their jobs more and stay longer.
If you would like help to identify a good match, ask your care coordinator or tribal or county case manager to set up services with a person-centered planning facilitator. Visit the Person-centered practices webpage for more information and a list of facilitators who serve your region.
Additional tips on how to recruit and retain workers
A key theme of our toolkit is that by using best practices in recruitment, even when there are tight labor markets, we can improve the number of quality applicants.
For people who use Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)
Being an employer training (VIDEO)
For people who use CDCS, there is an online interactive training series on Medicaid.gov for recruiting, selecting and retaining staff.
For people who hire and supervise their own caregiving staff, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry offers guidance for being an employer:
Overview of employee rights and applicable laws employers must follow Employment practices
Your care coordinator, tribal or county case manager, community members and social networks might recommend additional online or community resources.
Questions
If you have questions about the department's work related to the workforce shortage or if you would like a resource added to this webpage.