What is this program all about?
DSHS is working with Service Employees International Union 775 (SEIU) and the Training Partnership to pilot (test) a new Advanced Skills training. This 70 hours of additional training will be an opportunity for Individual Providers to learn new, advanced skills; to add value to their resume; to increase their hourly rate; and (most importantly!) to provide ever-better, top-quality care to the persons they support.
What should an interested service recipient (DSHS client) know?
Are there any eligibility requirements?
Yes. The care receiver must:
- Receive personal care services through HCS or DDA,
- Not reside in a hospital or residential care facility more than 30 days during the Pilot period,
- Be eligible for Health Home services OR have a Behavioral Point Score of 12 or higher,
- Receive personal care from an Individual Provider who has completed their required basic training AND worked six hundred (600) cumulative career hours.
What are the benefits for a care recipient enrolled in the pilot?
- You will receive person-centered care from a provider with advanced skills training
- You will have increased opportunity to explore with your care provider what is important to you when receiving personal care
- You may receive self-directed behavior support focusing on areas you want to change or goals you want to accomplish
What will my caregiver learn in this training?
- Caregivers will learn about the person-centered approach to care. A person-centered approach to caregiving treats each person as an individual with unique needs, values and preferences.
- Caregivers will learn how to work with the person they support to solve problems.
- Caregivers will learn to support clients through medication management. For example, they will learn techniques for tracking and organizing medications.
- Caregivers will learn to work with those they support to monitor and report changes in a client's health.
- Caregivers will learn more about treatment and care plans.
- Caregivers will learn motivational interviewing techniques that will help them support those they care for to make positive changes; without passing judgement
- Caregivers will learn healthy ways to cope with difficult or tense situations. For example they will practice attending and listening skills and will learn to respond logically rather than react emotionally.
- Caregivers will learn to assist those they support to become more involved in their healthcare.
- Caregivers will also practice healthy ways to care for themselves.
When would my caregiver go to class, and how long will it be?
If your care provider enrolls in the pilot, they will attend approximately 8 classes; one class a week for 8 weeks. Speak with your care provider and/or your case manager about how to manage your care during those times.
What should an interested provider know?
We want to invest in you! And we think that investment will benefit DSHS service recipients. If both you and your client are eligible and enroll in the pilot, you will receive 70 hours of paid Advanced Home Care Aide Specialist Training.
Course registration is currently open and classes are being offered statewide. You will be paid for your time spent training. Upon successfully completing the training and passing the competency assessments you will receive an additional $.50 (fifty cents) per hour for each client you work for from that point on.
Visit the Training Partnership AHCAS site for more information.
What should Case Managers know?
We understand the amount of work you do and want to make the AHCAS pilot as easy as possible! If there is anything that we can do to better serve your needs, please let us know at ahcaspilotlead@dshs.wa.gov.
Who should I contact for more information?
For additional information please email one of the Pilot Leads at ahcaspilotlead@dshs.wa.gov. Along with your question(s), please tell us a little bit about yourself.