Frontline Initiative Workforce Development

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce the launching of its National Direct Service Workforce Resource Center (DSW). CMS created DSW in response to the large and growing shortage of workers who provide direct care and personal assistance to individuals who need long-term supports and services in the U.S., particularly those living in the community.

DSW provides information and technical assistance to state and local governments, non-profit organizations, employers, and professionals who want to improve the recruitment and retention of DSPs.

DSW brings together the nation’s premier resources on the topic of the direct support workforce. These resources, which include Web-based clearinghouses, technical experts, training tools, cover the full range of consumer populations.

In addition, state Medicaid agencies can apply to receive individualized in-depth technical assistance through the DSW. CMS is sponsoring this technical assistance for state Medicaid agencies because of the key role they play in quality assurance, worker education, supervisor education for workers and consumers, wages and benefits, and provider reimbursement.