RD210 - Quarterly Report on the Progress of the Developmental Career Program


Executive Summary:
The Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Substance Abuse Services (DMHNFRSAS) has had great difficulty in recruiting and retaining quality direct care personnel. Current rates of staff turnover are significantly higher than the state average and result in excessive overtime costs for our facilities. The General Assembly has approved general funds for 2007 in the amount of $148,658 and $811,861 for 2008 to develop and implement a career path program for these valuable employees. The career path program that is being developed will provide training and salary increases to direct care employees, who have fulfilled skill and competency requirements and who demonstrate higher-level competencies on the job. This report is an update on the progress of the direct services associates' training and the development of career pathways.