By Jon Nelson, Executive Director, Residential Services, Inc. (RSI)
I want to address the workforce crisis from a provider’s perspective and talk about the
implications of the legislature funding, or not funding, an ongoing rate increase for Home & Community-Based Services.
RSI is a private nonprofit organization supporting people with physical and cognitive disabilities and mental illness in reaching their fullest potential in whatever residential setting they choose to live. We serve the Duluth, North Branch and Iron Range areas.
RSI currently has an eleven percent employee vacancy rate. This is after we have invested in and implemented a number of human resource initiatives to address recruitment and retention; including larger referral bonuses, use of social media, billboards, on-site job fairs, and retention bonuses. Despite our best efforts we currently have 47 open positions.
RSI’s experience is not unique. I have heard from several providers who have larger vacancy rates, some over 20%. It is not an exaggeration to call the situation a work force crisis. The legislature has to do something to provide a rate increase to allow providers to increase wages in order to compete for employees when we have a shrinking workforce.
The workforce crisis already has had a significant impact on services for people with disabilities and older adults. I know of people who have had to leave their home because of not being able to recruit and retain people to provide services. Existing employees have to work long hours of overtime to fill vacant shifts. This is not good for staff retention and can compromise the care being provided when employees are overworked.
The workforce crisis arrived at a time when the State of Minnesota, through its Olmstead plan, is tasked with insuring people can receive person-centered services integrated in the community in less restrictive settings. To implement the Olmstead plan will require a larger and better trained workforce. Without it, the quality and availability of services will decrease and people will be forced to move to more institutional settings that can operate with lower staff ratios.
This is the challenge of our times – to figure out how we are going to care for all of us, including people with disabilities, as we age and need services. The number of older adults and people with disabilities is growing due to increased life expectancy and better health care. For example, people with Down’s syndrome have seen their life expectancy go up by 35 years since 1983. The data tells us the workforce crisis is only going to get worse.
If the legislature fails to address the need it will mean work force problems will grow more quickly and future solutions will be more costly. Providers are working with consumers, advocates, and DHS to find additional ways to address the crisis. This includes use of technology, increased use of unpaid natural supports, and an evaluation of the cost for the level of risk aversion built into the current system. These efforts will only be part of the solution. Compensation for caregivers is the most immediate concern and, if not addressed, will make these other efforts much less effective.
I hope the legislature will find a way to fund a sustainable rate increase to support a sustainable workforce.
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