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John's usual--
CLI is losing another long-time staff member this week. Sandee Stuckert came over to CLI when we privatized at the end of 2015. We've been lucky to have her for so long and we wish her well in her next position with another local provider agency. Our loss is definitely their gain.
Like all DD provider agencies, CLI has long struggled to recruit the caliber of staff that we need to do what we do. This was true 10 years ago before labor shortages and before these staff positions required employees with as many strong tech skills, strong time management skills, and professional communication skills. This recruiting problem is shared among all of the caring professions-- nursing homes, home health, etc. These are demanding jobs that traditionally pay less than lots of easier work. Although CLI has been working to improve our staff compensation, there is much further to go. The biggest obstacle to being able to pay staff more wass that the old reimbursement rates for CLI's services were not high enough. DODD has addressed this problem in 2021 with the new community-integrated, small group rates-- but it's been hard to get enough of these services authorized to make a difference so far. The pace of progress is often frustrating.
But in the meantime, the reality is that providers are forced to recruit employee at lower pay than most other local employers. This was true 3 years ago and it's far more true now. Ohio spends almost $6 billion of county, state & federal tax dollars to support approximately 100,000 people with disabilities in our state. That's a lot of money by anybody's accounting. Nothing new is going to happen in the DD field if nothing changes. Somehow we must recruit new people rather than trading the same too-small group of employees back & forth between agencies. We must make these jobs careers worth having with wages that will support families. Ohio has to figure out how to re-allocate more of the money currently being spent to direct care staff.
In the meantime-- CLI is definitely hiring. If YOU know anyone who is interested in switching careers, and doing something rewarding & fun-- CLI needs to fill full-time positions. We're offering a 4-day work week with 4 weeks PTO, paid holidays, a health care stipend, an IRA match, free smartphone, and a few other perks. They can contact me directly by email at john@CLIsupports.com or by phone at 419-706-5137.
That's all I have for now. Have a great week. Get outside while it's still somewhat warm. The leaves are starting to get pretty!
John
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