Once our agency is aware of the dollar amount it will be receiving in grant funding, we will be able to put specific dollar amounts to these items. Our plans to support our direct service workers include the following.

 

95% of the grant funding will be reinvested back into our direct service workings/caregivers.

One of our first priorities will be signing our caregivers up for an annual AAA membership to help with vehicle emergencies they may experience (about $60 per EE).

If timing permits, we would like to purchase group term life insurance for all caregivers.

For 2023, we will be absorbing any insurance cost increases for those caregivers who have enrolled into health insurance.

Our biggest plan is to distribute bonuses throughout the grant funding distribution timeline. These bonuses will be distributed in phases to our caregivers and will be based on their longevity with the agency.

 

Additional support to our caregivers with the grant funding will include:

-Increased referral bonuses of $500 per referred DSP/caregiver (with minimum requirements)

-Recruiting/sign on bonuses of $250 (with minimum requirements) to new DSP/caregivers

-Caregiver mileage reimbursement

 

Of the remaining 5%, we plan to use some funds for discretionary items to help with improvement between administrative staff and direct support staff which may include:

-Technology upgrades

-Hiring of additional support staff

Additional possible administrative items include:

-Agency vehicle maintenance

-Employee appreciation gatherings