In Wisconsin a shortage of professional direct care workers has created a crisis for people with disabilities, older adults, and their families. Improving worker retention and increasing the number of workers is one of seven priority issues BPDD focuses on in our 2019-21 state budget and policy platform.

Recommendations include:

• creating a Medicaid Buy-In program for direct care workers so they can work more and keep their access to health care
• making sure worker wages in border areas match pay in other states so Wisconsin workers work for Wisconsin citizens
• supporting increases in wages, coverage of transportation costs, paid time off and retirement savings plans, and training or career advancement opportunities that retain and attract quality workers into the field
  

Read more