Welcome to the Direct Support Workers Training Benefits Site
Benefits Available and How to Qualify
If you are unsure of what services you're providing, contact your employer/provider agency.
$500 Voluntary Training Stipends & Free Category B course registration (for workers providing PCA Choice, CDCS and CSG services)
Effective July 1, 2023, a total of $2 million is available to award workers voluntary training stipends. A worker can receive one $500 stipend during the time period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025. Stipends are available until the $2 million in funding is exhausted or until June 30, 2025, whichever is sooner.
For workers providing PCA Choice, CDCS and CSG services:
- You are allowed unlimited free Category B trainings as funding allows. To get signed up for the free trainings, visit the Category B page.
7.5% Enhanced Rate for Personal Care Assistance (PCA)
The enhanced rate is a 7.5% increase in the rate DHS pays to your PCA provider agency for your hours of service. Your provider agency must use the funds to increase your wage, salary, or benefits. Your hours of service are eligible for the enhanced rate if:
- Those hours are for Traditional PCA or PCA Choice services.
- Those hours are provided to a person who is eligible for 10 or more hours of state plan PCA care per day or has the home care rating EN.
- You complete the qualifying trainings.
- You submit proof you completed the qualifying trainings.
7.5% Enhanced Budget for Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) or the Consumer Support Grant (CSG)
The enhanced budget is a 7.5% increase to the CDCS/CSG participant's budget when the participant:
- Is eligible for 10 or more hours of state plan PCA services per day or has the home care rating of EN; and
- has a worker who has completed the qualifying trainings.
CDCS/CSG participants will apply the additional funding towards workers' wages and/or benefits.
Regardless of the number of workers who have completed the qualifying trainings, the person's budget can be enhanced by 7.5% only once during the service plan year.