Finding and Retaining Your Respite Worker Benefits of a Web-Based Registry

1. Finding and Retaining Your Respite Worker Benefits of a Web-Based Registry Rewarding Work Resources, Inc www.RewardingWork.org 866-212-WORK (9675) National Lifespan Respite Conference November 2011

2. Presenters • Elenore Parker President, Rewarding Work Resources eparker@rewardingwork.org 866-212-9675 • Jeffrey A. Keilson Vice President, Rewarding Work Resources jkeilson@advocatesinc.org 781-910-7216

3. Who is Rewarding Work? Non profit corporation founded in 2004 Created and manages the online matching services registry, RewardingWork.org Currently operates in five states Created and manages the Massachusetts PCA Referral Directory

4. Mission The mission of Rewarding Work Resources is to connect.We connect elders, people with disabilities, and their families to personal care assistants (PCAs), respite workers, and other direct care workers . And, we connect respite workers with employers.

6. Learning objectives How to: • Use a web-based registry as a resource for caregivers to connect with respite and emergency workers • Develop partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of a web-based registry of respite and emergency workers • Use a web-based registry to collaborate across elder and disability communities

7. The Situation Need for respite and emergency workers will continue to grow dramatically: • Population aging: By 2050, 40 percent of people age 65 will survive to age 90 • More people living in communities of their choice • The estimated need for direct support workers will grow by 60% in less than a decade

8. Significant shift in employment settings Facility settings

9. Finding qualified respite workers Traditional networks inadequate • Family & Friends: Exhaustion • Private agencies: Expensive, inconsistent, and/or limited choice • Advertise: Expensive, limited, time consuming • Rewarding Work: Excellent alternative!

10. Using a Web-based Registry

11. What is Rewarding Work? A Web-based self-directed registry Assists people with disabilities, elders, and families in connecting with respite workers Access candidates where you live Comprehensive information about candidates Resources and links to key information to assist caregivers

12. Registry can be modified to suit needs of individual states State specific web site States select application questions States determine content for pages State-specific outreach

13. States design programs to suit specific needs • Connecticut – Free for DDS consumers • Massachusetts – Free for Medicaid users • New Jersey - Paid subscriptions for most • Rhode Island – Free for Medicaid users • Vermont – Free for all residents

14. Rewarding Work adapts for users in specific region State consumers Private pay State agencies Private non-profit agencies Others

15. What else? • Connects to existing resources • Means for collaborating across disability and elder communities • Call center available 24/7 • Outreach to existing and potential workers • Extensive customer services to employers and workers

16. Find someone who lives nearby Who has qualities you need: • Lives near you • Interested in providing respite • Has experience you are looking for • Available hours you need • Has a driver’s license • Has desired certifications

17. How it Works! To ensure security everyone needs to register • Register • Log-in • Applicant Search – Preliminary • Applicant Search – Advanced • Save Search Criteria • Sort Applicants • View Applicants • Contact Applicants

19. View list of candidates on Applicant Search • Enter your zip code • From pull-down menu, enter from 1 to 50 miles • Select choices that match your needs, such as providing respite care or is available on an emergency basis • Click Search Now to view results • Most recent names are on top • Candidates update applications to remain active

22. Save your search • Save your current search criteria • Name your search to identify it • Return later to view new candidates who match your criteria • See your criteria at any time

24. Sort Results • Change the “look” of your selection • Check up to 3 columns, such as Tel number, Experience, and Certification • Click on Update Column Options • See quick overview of your choices

26. View • View candidate’s complete application • Contact people who meet your specific needs • Contact by email or phone • Read “Useful Tips” before hiring • Call Toll-free 1-866-212-WORK (9675) if you need additional help

28. Resources on Rewarding Work • Instructions for use • Helpful resources for each state • Tips for hiring staff • Information can be modified for specific respite use • Consumers may post job openings

30. Benefits of dynamic database • Database updated daily • New prospects added everyday • Search by specific need • Geography (zip code search) • Interested in providing respite • Experience and education • Access to transportation

31. Developing Partnerships

32. Partnerships

33. Partners: consumers • People with disabilities • Elders • Children • Adults • Families

34. Partners: schools Vocational High Schools Community Colleges Colleges Technical schools

35. Partners: government agencies Medicaid State Human Service Departments Elder Affairs Local Departments Housing Authorities

36. Partners: private agencies Personal Care Management Agencies Hospitals Independent Living Centers Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)/Aging Service Access Points (ASAP) Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) Human service providers Other affiliated agencies

37. Partners: businesses Banks Foundations Corporations Chambers of Commerce

38. Recruiting workers Word of mouth of workers Families Website Online marketing Brochures and posters Agencies Training workers

39. Training workers Workers training workers Community colleges Technical colleges College of Direct Support State training programs Vocational high schools

40. Collaboration across elder and disability communities Collaboration required to ensure success Need to break down separate silos Managing information enhances collaboration

41. Collaboration: enhanced quality of life People with disabilities: get respite workers they need Elders: able to stay in their homes

42. Collaboration: supporting caregivers Easy access to respite worker Effective system to identify and hire workers Caregivers get a break Loved ones can remain living at home

43. Everybody wins • State agencies: • Save money • People stay in the community and avoid institutions • Private agencies: Able to do their job better • Community: Wins

44. Review • A web-based registry is a resource for caregivers to connect with respite and emergency workers • Partnerships enhance effectiveness of a web-based registry of respite workers • A web-based registry supports collaboration across elder and disability communities

45. Consumer testimonial “Up until now my only resource was word of mouth or ads in newspapers which was time consuming. In just one week with www.RewardingWork.org, I have interviewed four people, two of whom I hired. Thank you again. This Website is a lifesaver!” ---Family Member

46. The end result Families/caregivers can easily find quality respite and emergency workers.