The following is a list of PAS Workforce resources related to Vermont.
The list is provided and maintained by the National
Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce. Each citation contains
an abstract and information about how to obtain the entire version.
Livingston, Joy. (March 2001). Paraprofessional staffing study. Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities.
Abstract:
The Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities issued this long-term care workforce report summarizing demand for personal care services, demographic and employment trends affecting the labor force, recruitment and retention issues, and best practices. Recommendations include maintaining lower staff-to-resident ratios; adopting a wage pass-through or career ladder program; and adopting a more inclusive management style.
The National Conference of State Legislatures. (April 19th, 2004 ). Better Jobs Better Care: Retaining long-term care workers.
Abstract:
This article gives an overview of the Better Jobs Better Care Demonstration projects in Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Vermont. The authors specifically address the actions in three of the states: Iowa, North Carolina, and Vermont. The authors note the high turnover rates and problems with retention of direct-care workers across the country, and the interventions that are being explored in these five states through the Better Jobs Better Care project.
Obtain the Full Version: To get a copy of this article, go to: www.statehealthnotes.org. Available on the web: www.ncsl.org/programs/health/bjbc.htm
Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (March 2004). Chart of direct-care workforce activities in Vermont.
Abstract:
This chart describes existing or enacted direct-care workforce initiatives in this state as of March 2004. The information was collected as part of a national survey of state initiatives on the long-term care direct-care workforce. Additional details about this state may be found in the full report.
Tilley, Jane, Kristen Black, Barbara Ormond and Jennie Harvell . (November 2003). State experiences with minimum nursing staff ratios for nursing facilities: Findings from case studies of eight states. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Abstract:
Conducted by the Urban Institute for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, this study was commissioned as a follow-up to the Phase I and Phase II nursing home staffing studies conducted for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by Abt Associates. The researchers surveyed all state laws mandating minimum staffing ratios and conducted case studies of eight states (Arkansas, California, Delaware, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin) that either instituted, modified or eliminated nursing staff ratios in recent years. The report concludes that minimum staffing ratios can help impose a standard on facilities that have inadequate staffing, but staffing ratios are not the only factor affecting the quality of care residents receive.
Wasserman, Julie. (May 2003). Shaping the future of long term care 2000-2010. Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities, Agency of Human Services.
Abstract:
This report by Vermont's Department of Aging and Disabilities projects the need for long term care services in Vermont in 2005 and 2010, and makes recommendations for addressing that need. Recommendations include adjusting Medicare funding to allow for additional community-based services, improving wages and benefits for direct care workers, and expanding health programs for physically disabled adults.
Keller, Jeanne. (October 2003). Survey of Personal Care Attendants and Employers/Surrogates Regarding Establishment of a Vermont PAS Registry. Vermont Department of Aging, Divison of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Abstract:
In 2001, the Vermont Department of Aging was awarded a Medicaid Infrastructures Grant (MIG) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This report examines what it would take to establish an attendant registry in Vermont for consumers with disabilities who are living at home. The report provides results from a survey of providers and consumers who are in consumer-directed program. The report also includes input from advocacy groups, social service agencies, and health care agencies on the issue.
Lisi-Baker, Deborah. (December 2004). Participant directed training for personal assistance services (PAS) management. Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities.
Abstract:
The Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities collaborated with the Vermont Center for Independent Living and designed a pilot project to evaluate the interest, focus and viability of a direct attendant care training program. The committee monitored the implementation of the pilot and analyzed findings from a survey of participants. Results of the survey indicated that management of the trial program had difficulty with fundamental tasks such as writing job descriptions, recruiting attendants, screening applicants, and payroll paperwork. The areas identified that needed additional research and assessment included: the effect of wages and benefits on recruitment, communication between supervisors and attendants, and identifying the types of instructional strategies needed for creating a responsive program.
Keller, Jeanne. (May 2002). Health insurance for personal care workers. Vermont Department of Aging & Disabilities.
Abstract:
The goal of this study was to identify options for providing access to health insurance for personal care workers. The author finds that by offering insurance for workers, employers will enhance the desirability of this type of employment and will make it more competitive with other employment options.
Anderson, Wayne L., Joshua M. Wiener, Angela M. Greene, and Janet O'Keeffe . (April 2004). Direct service workforce activities of the Systems Change grantees. RTI International.
Abstract:
In 2001 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Real Choice Systems Change (RCSC) Grants to states and other entities working to improve state long-term care systems. Twenty grantees began one or more initiatives to improve the recruitment and retention of direct service workers. This report focuses on the workforce initiatives of these 20 grantees, with an in-depth look at 7. The report strongly recomends that policymakers, providers, and consumers address workforce problems.
Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) and Community of Vermont Elders (COVE). (2004). Vermont Association of Professional Care Providers survey. Community of Vermont Elders (COVE).
Abstract:
In 2004, the Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) and the Community of Vermont Elders (COVE) completed a survey of 6,020 direct-care workers in Vermont. The purpose of the survey was to determine if there was an interest among Vermont's direct-care workers in joining a worker association.
