Direct Service Workforce Development Grant

What is the Direct Service Workforce Investment Grant?

“A key and critical focus of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA)’s Home and Community-Based Services Spend Plan is on supporting our direct service workforce. To that end, we have developed a Direct Service Workforce (DSW) State plan that will include short-, mid-, and long-term strategies around wages and benefits; training and pathways; and promotion and planning.

In advance of the DSW State Plan release, FSSA is excited to launch a critical short-term wages and benefits strategy in the form of a Direct Service Workforce Investment grant opportunity. Direct service workers are essential in providing the day-to-day, in-person HCBS supports necessary for people to live, work, and participate in their communities… with a requirement that 95% of the funding awarded flow through to direct service workers.”

Through this grant, Project Will, Inc was awarded funding to support our direct service workforce.

1. We plan to use 95% of the first funding installment to issue one-time bonuses determined by the percentage of the agency’s total direct support hours each DSW worked for the 2022 year. Employees received these funds by 3/15/2023.

2. The next two installments will be distributed based on performance and retention activities. Details will be communicated to employees.

The second round of the grant was given as a reinforcement of timely documentation for the members they serve, this was given on a sliding scale as documentation was submitted earlier they earned more, and when it was received when it was due they received a small amount. 

The last round will be given as Wraparound benefits on items such as gas cards, lunches, and dinners, as well as covering the cost of membership for staff to receive certifications through NADSP.