Ohio's developmental disability (DD) system is designed to support people with developmental disabilities leading them toward healthy lives focused on their talents, interests, and skills.
Ohio’s DD system is supported by thousands of professionals who ensure Ohioans with disabilities and their families receive the supports they need daily. Meeting those needs requires skilled professionals who provide indirect and direct support. The quality of the workforce impacts options for those needing services and the outcomes achieved.
Recruiting and retaining the number of qualified staff required to provide supports has become increasingly difficult. This leads to the inability to find the right staff for the job and jeopardizes how and when these vital services are delivered.
Two years ago, Ohio’s state operating budget addressed workforce issues by increasing Homemaker/Personal Care (HPC) rates to facilitate higher average wages for direct support professionals (DSPs). The state budget also supported a specialized rate formula within Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) to assist with ICF workforce issues.
Today, exacerbated by pandemic conditions, workforce issues are a preeminent challenge to the DD system. Short and long-term solutions must be developed to:
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improve conditions to attract, recruit, and maintain a DD workforce large enough to meet adequate staffing levels in the face of a highly competitive job market,
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build a quality workforce that is compensated fairly,
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position DSPs as a potentially rewarding career opportunity,
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and address the DD system’s design, policies, procedures, rate structures, and other necessary elements to sustain the DD system if the current workforce shortage remains an ongoing scarcity.
In support of the workforce, additional strategies may also warrant attention to:
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generate professional development capacity for ongoing skill-building, including in the support of DSPs,
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promote adaptable skills, workforce cultures, and empathy to meet modern service delivery challenges,
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educate people with disabilities, families, and guardians on how best to understand their roles and responsibilities within a home-care model, how to employ and supervise DSPs, and how to manage other support functions.
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and foster a workforce that maximizes positive relationships with the people receiving services and their circle of support as they move toward their goals.
Over the next two years, the Ohio DD Workforce Crisis Task Force (WCTF) will examine the DD system’s current and projected workforce needs.
Task Force Members
External organizations and all individual members are listed below.
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Organization |
Description |
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Advocates for outcomes that promote dignity, respect, and enhanced quality of life for individual persons with developmental disabilities. |
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A grassroots organization that advocates for human rights, personal dignity, and community participation of individuals with developmental disabilities through legislative and social action, information and education, local chapter supports, and family involvement. |
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Provides advocacy, communications, professional development, and technical assistance to all 88 of Ohio's county boards of developmental disabilities. |
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OADSP is a non-profit committed to developing a stable and highly skilled direct support workforce and to enhancing current and future direct support professionals. |
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Represents more than 1000 assisted living communities, home care and hospice service providers, providers of care and services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), and skilled nursing care facilities. |
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Supports and provides advocacy for community-based service providers to ensure the availability of programs, services, and funding adequate to support and assist individuals with developmental disabilities as they strive to achieve a life of increasing independence, productivity, and integration. |
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Empowers people with disabilities by expanding awareness of self-determination principles, provide valuable training resources, and promote advocacy efforts. |
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Represents organizations who want to work together to advance waiver services for those with developmental disabilities. |
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Superintendents Executive Committee (SEC) |
SEC serves as a liaison between the superintendents of county boards of developmental disabilities, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and the Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB). |
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Values and Faith Alliance |
State trade association representing faith and value-based agencies in Ohio providing services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. |
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Member Name |
Role or Organization |
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Jason Abodeely |
Faith and Values Alliance |
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Jeff Davis - Chair |
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities |
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Kristen Henry |
Advocacy and Protective Services, Inc. |
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Debbie Jenkins |
Ohio Health Care Association |
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Willie Jones |
Ohio Association of County Boards |
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Kim Kelly |
Parent and Direct Support Professional for Boundless |
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Teresa Kobelt |
Parent and OCALI |
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Pete Moore |
Ohio Provider Resource Association |
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Julie Short |
Parent and OCALI |
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Janet Stephan |
Ohio Waiver Network |
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Gary Tonks |
The Arc of Ohio |
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Bethany Toledo |
Ohio Association of Direct Support Professionals |
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Nate Turner |
Advocate and Ohio Self-Determination Association |
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Jason Ulmstot |
Superintendents Executive Committee |
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Renee Wood |
Advocate |
Task Force Meetings and Notes
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May 26, 2021, from 10 AM – 12:30 PM |
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June 9, 2021, from 1 – 2 PM |
Video | |
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June 23, 2021, from 1 – 3 PM |
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July 14, 2021, from 1 – 2 PM |
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July 28, 2021, from 1 – 3 PM |
Video |
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August 11, 2021, from 1 -2 PM |
Video |
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August 25, 2021, from 1 – 3 PM |
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September 8, 2021, from 1 -2 PM |
Click here to join the meeting
Join with a video conferencing device Video Conference ID: 118 031 558 3 Alternate VTC dialing instructions
Or call in (audio only) Phone Conference ID: 563 912 323# |
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September 22, 2021, from 1 – 3 PM |
Click here to join the meeting
Join with a video conferencing device Video Conference ID: 115 616 785 2 Alternate VTC dialing instructions
Or call in (audio only) Phone Conference ID: 259 542 583# |
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October 13, 2021, from 1 – 2 PM |
Click here to join the meeting
Join with a video conferencing device Video Conference ID: 118 031 558 3 Alternate VTC dialing instructions
Or call in (audio only) Phone Conference ID: 563 912 323# |
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October 27, 2021, from 1 – 3 PM |
Click here to join the meeting
Join with a video conferencing device Video Conference ID: 115 616 785 2 Alternate VTC dialing instructions
Or call in (audio only) Phone Conference ID: 259 542 583# |
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November 10, from 1 – 2 PM |
Click here to join the meeting
Join with a video conferencing device Video Conference ID: 118 031 558 3 Alternate VTC dialing instructions
Or call in (audio only) Phone Conference ID: 563 912 323# |
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November 24, 2021, from 1 – 3 PM |
Click here to join the meeting
Join with a video conferencing device Video Conference ID: 115 616 785 2 Alternate VTC dialing instructions
Or call in (audio only) Phone Conference ID: 259 542 583# |
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December 8, 2021, from 1 -2 PM |
Click here to join the meeting
Join with a video conferencing device Video Conference ID: 118 031 558 3 Alternate VTC dialing instructions
Or call in (audio only) Phone Conference ID: 563 912 323# |
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December 22, 2021, from 1 – 3 PM |
Click here to join the meeting
Join with a video conferencing device Video Conference ID: 115 616 785 2 Alternate VTC dialing instructions
Or call in (audio only) Phone Conference ID: 259 542 583# |
