Direct support professionals are the foundation of all we do to support people with disabilities at home, at work and in the community. The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) of Indiana recognizes this and has announced Direct Services Workforce Investment Grants to help eligible providers of home and community-based services invest in their vital staff.
Through this grant program, Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana will receive three equal installments totaling $1,393,733.74. These funds will be used to thank our hardworking DSPs with retention bonuses.
The first installment from FSSA will reward eligible DSPs who have been employed with Easterseals Arc for at least 90 days as of Jan. 1, 2023.
- 50% will be paid to those employed at least 90 days as of Jan. 1; these bonuses will be paid on or around Feb. 15, 2023.
- 50% will be paid to those employed at least 90 days as of Jan. 1 and still employed July 1; these bonuses will be paid on or around Aug. 15, 2023
The second installment from FSSA will reward eligible DSPs who have been employed with Easterseals Arc for at least 90 days as of April 1, 2023.
- 50% will be paid to those employed at least 90 days as of April 1; these bonuses will be paid on or around April 15, 2023.
- 50% will be paid to those employed at least 90 days as of April 1 and still employed Oct. 1; these bonuses will be paid on or around Oct. 15, 2023
The third installment from FSSA will reward eligible DSPs who have been employed with Easterseals Arc for at least 90 days as of July 1, 2023.
- 50% will be paid to those employed at least 90 days as of July 1; these bonuses will be paid on or around July 15, 2023.
- 50% will be paid to those employed at least 90 days as of July 1 and still employed Oct. 1; these bonuses will be paid on or around Dec. 15, 2023
While the grant from FSSA covers these bonuses for DSPs providing supports through Medicaid Waiver programs, we value the hard work of direct care staff throughout our organization and will invest additional funds to include group home DSPs in these bonuses.