Issued: Sept. 18, 2024
The North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services is soliciting requests from providers to fund recruitment and retention initiatives that directly enhance overall direct support professionals (DSPs) job quality and job satisfaction. As part of Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week, DMH/DD/SUS has announced the DSP Recruitment and Retention Providers Grant Initiative.
This initiative is designed to provide financial support for DSP staff, including continuing education, training and professional development opportunities to further enhance their ability to provide exceptional care. Applications for the grants opened at noon on Sept. 9, 2024, and will close at noon on Nov. 8, 2024.
Applications are open to all intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD) provider agencies in North Carolina that employ DSPs and deliver Medicaid and/or state-funded services, including providers that operate an Agency with Choice (AWC) model.
What is happening?
DMH/DD/SUS has launched the DSP Recruitment and Retention Providers Grant Initiative to provide financial support for DSP staff, including continuing education, training and professional development opportunities.
When is this happening?
Applications opened at noon on Sept. 9, 2024, and will close at noon on Nov. 9, 2024.
Who is impacted?
All Intellectual and developmental disability provider agencies in North Carolina that employ DSPs and deliver Medicaid and/or state-funded services, including providers that operate an Agency with Choice (AWC) model may submit applications between Sept. 9, 2024, and Nov. 9, 2024.
DSPs refers to workers who provide direct support and services to individuals with I/DD in the community and other settings, including assisting with activities of daily living, accessing the community, and obtaining/maintaining competitive integrated employment.
What do providers need to do?
Providers who wish to submit a grant application:
- Should access the grant application and complete the required information prior to noon on Nov. 8, 2024.
- Complete one application per proposal. (There is no limit to the number of proposals a provider agency may submit.)
- Funding may only be used for DSPs who provide services to individuals residing in North Carolina.
- Review examples of proposals:
- Hiring and retention bonuses
- Child/dependent/senior care supports or subsidies
- Transportation supports or subsidies (e.g., public transit stipends, car maintenance stipends, ride share reimbursement
- Food supports or subsidies (e.g., meal vouchers, meal boxes)
- Continuing or advanced education opportunities
- Other employee assistance programs
How will responses be evaluated?
Responses will be reviewed by DMH/DD/SUS staff to identify proposals that align with DMH/DD/SUS priorities and to inform how funding may be disbursed. DMH/DD/SUS expects to make awards in early 2025. Funding will be allocated to LME/MCOs for distribution to providers with approved proposals.
Funding will be made available on a one-time basis and must be used by providers within one year of distribution by DMH/DD/SUS. Final award amounts will be determined based on DMH/DD/SUS assessment of all proposals. (DMH/DD/SUS has discretion to fund proposals in full or partially.) Funding may only be used for DSPs who provide services to individuals residing in North Carolina.
Who can providers contact if they have questions?
Providers should email dmhiddcontact@dhhs.nc.gov with questions about the requirements of the grant program, completing this form or technical issues.