HF1742

This bill establishes a three-year Direct Support Professional Certification Pilot Project in Minnesota. The project is a collaboration between the Commissioner of Human Services, the Office of Higher Education, Anoka and Dakota Counties, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, and participating postsecondary institutions. The goal is to create a direct support curriculum leading to the credential of Certified Direct Support Professional (CDSP).

Key Provisions:

1. Covered Services: The bill defines direct support services as assistance for individuals 65 or older or those with disabilities under various state-funded programs, including community-based and personal care assistance services.

2. Curriculum Requirements:

   • The training must meet or exceed state requirements (Minnesota Statutes 256B.85, subd. 16, par. e).
   • Based on the National Direct Services Workforce Resource Centers Core Competencies.
   • Must consist of at least 80 hours of training over at least eight weeks.

3. Scholarships:

   • Participants are eligible for a scholarship and a work stipend of $20 per hour for 80 hours of instruction.

4. Certification and Enhanced Wage Rate:

   • Individuals completing the program receive a certification.
   • Certified professionals working in covered programs must receive an enhanced reimbursement rate of 118.75% of the standard Medicaid rate (pending federal approval).

5. Accreditation Criteria:

   • Postsecondary institutions and the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living will collaborate to develop accreditation standards.
   • Other institutions can use these criteria to establish their own Direct Support Professional programs.

6. Evaluation and Reporting:

   • An independent program evaluator will assess the pilot project's impact on workforce needs and local economies.
   • The evaluation and accreditation criteria must be reported to the legislature within six months of project completion.

Purpose:

This bill aims to address workforce shortages in direct care services, improve professional training, and increase wages for direct support professionals. It also aims to evaluate the feasibility of expanding the program statewide.

Financials:

The bill includes an appropriation of funds to implement the pilot project, but the exact funding amount is not specified in the provided text.