On behalf of Blue Ridge Residential Services, a provider of group residential, sponsored residential and day support services for Virginians with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), I ask that you utilize the enhanced 10% HCBS FMAP offered under the American Rescue Plan Act to help stabilize and rebuild our workforce of Direct Support Professionals.
Specifically, I support the Virginia Network of Private Providers recommendations to:
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented instability in our direct care workforce beyond the pre-pandemic workforce crisis we were already facing. Utilization of these funds could have a significant impact on provider workforce recruitment and retention initiatives.
Thank you for your consideration.
Mark Landis