CMS (the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) recognizes that as there are "more people living with disabilities (who) choose to live in home- and community-based settings, finding direct-care workers is becoming an increasingly critical public policy issue. CMS is funding research to help states develop a workforce that can support people living with disabilities and long-term illnesses." Under such a program, the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute is publishing a series of tools to target those concerned with "improving the quality and stability of the home- and community-based direct-care workforce." The first in the series of Workforce Tools addresses hiring and support of personal care workers. It can be used by those hiring for their own assistance in addition to those hiring for agencies or institutions. It is available online at:
http://www.paraprofessional.org/publications/WorkforceTools_Vol1No1.pdf

Topics covered include: recruitment challenges, creating an appealing job, deciding on qualities you are seeking, looking in the right places, evaluating candidates, marketing the job, interviewing tips, and resources.

11/2002