MISHAWAKA, Indiana - Franciscan Senior Health & Wellness Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly or PACE is the recipient of Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA) Direct Service Workforce Investment Grants.

"I am incredibly thankful to FSSA for awarding Franciscan Senior Health & Wellness these Direct Service Workforce Investment Grants," said Brooke Nack, administrative director for the Franciscan Health PACE program. "With this funding, our PACE program will be able to offer tremendous support to our incredibly dedicated workforce while innovating some of the methods used in providing services to our participants."

A key focus of the FSSA's Home and Community-Based Services Spend Plan is supporting the state's direct service workforce, which is essential in providing the day-to-day, in-person support necessary for people to live, work and participate in their communities. A direct service worker is defined as a person who is employed to provide hands-on care or direct support in Home and Community-Based Services settings for individuals who need assistance to perform routine daily activities secondary to aging and/or disabilities. 

PACE is a national, community-based healthcare program created for people 55 and older who are eligible for nursing-home level care but prefer to remain in their own familiar surroundings. The PACE model of care is centered around the belief that the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families are better served in their own communities whenever possible.

The program enables seniors to live as independently as they can by providing all-inclusive primary care and specialty services. Each participant is assigned a primary care provider, nurse, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, recreational therapist, clinical dietitian, home care coordinator, patient care assistant, center manager and transportation. 

The FSSA grants will be applied with 20% to 35% of the funding being dedicated to each of the following areas:

  • Staff compensation: Financial compensation for direct service workers, which may include bonuses or wage increases.
  • Expansion of services: Increased access to home and community-based services, which may include additional staffing or transportation assistance for staff and/or participants.
  • Career development: Training or career development opportunities for direct service workers interested in expanding their skills.
  • Retention activities: Activities for team support, engagement and morale aimed at increasing direct service worker retention.

Franciscan Senior Health & Wellness aims to implement the funding plan to support its direct service workforce as soon as possible.

Franciscan Health operates PACE programs in Dyer, Indianapolis, Lafayette and Michigan City. Additional information about the PACE program is available online.

 


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