TennCare Workforce Initiative
TENNcare – DSP Workforce Toolkit: https://www.youtube.com/embed/fBhbo_aowC4
TennCare is collaborating with TNCO and the Institute on Community Integration (ICI) at the University of Minnesota to address workforce challenges for direct support professionals (DSPs) in Tennessee. In this multi-year comprehensive effort, the University of Minnesota is conducting an annual statewide survey about the direct support workforce in Tennessee. Participating organizations receive training and technical assistance to identify and address at least one key challenge that their organization faces aimed at improving direct support workforce turnover and retention rates. ICI created this online DSP Workforce Toolkit for Tennessee organizations. This toolkit is a collection of evidence-based tools and strategies that assist organizations in finding, choosing, and keeping quality DSPs. To learn about the tools and strategies available in the Tennessee DSP Workforce Toolkit, view the webinar above.
Provider Workforce Development Support: Managed Care Organization (MCO) Leads and Teams
Tonya Starks
BlueCare Tennessee
Kylie Hennie
BlueCare Tennessee
Patrick Hampton
BlueCare Tennessee
Kourtney Brooks
UnitedHealthcare
Tennessee
Tennessee MCOs, in collaboration with TennCare, Tennessee community organizations and provider agencies, and the University of Minnesota, are working together to advance workforce development statewide. The strategic goals of Tennessee's Workforce Development Initiatives are to support provider organizations in building a more stable and highly skilled workforce over time, and strengthening the direct care workforce through high-quality, competency-based training, progressive certifications, professionalization, and expanded career development opportunities.
A key aspect of this work includes the implementation of an annual Tennessee LTSS Workforce Quality Improvement Survey about the experience and needs of direct support workers across the state. Recognizing the importance of data-driven decision-making, the Tennessee LTSS Workforce Quality Improvement Survey is conducted annually. State and regional data helps guide ongoing discussions and planning related to wages, benefits, recruitment, and retention strategies for the direct care workforce, and improving access to services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, adults with physical disabilities, and older adults across Tennessee.
As part of this work, providers have access to individualized workforce supports, workforce-specific provider training opportunities, and best practice sharing around recruitment, selection, retention, and employee engagement and training. This includes MCOs providing technical assistance and training to providers in Tennessee to implement evidence-based workforce interventions. For information or questions related to the TN LTSS Workforce Quality Improvement Survey or the Workforce Development Initiatives taking place in Tennessee, the workforce development leads at each of the MCOs can be reached at the contact information above.