WISCONSIN — Forty-three organizations focused on home and community-based services received $12 million from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Thursday.

The funds will be used to improve home and community-based services for the elderly and those with disabilities across 72 counties in the state. It’s an industry that’s facing a pressing workforce shortage crisis.

One in four direct caregiver positions is vacant, according to DHS. That’s a problem when you consider DHS projects by 2024, they’ll need an additional 20,000 home care workers. The grants aim to address that problem.

“These grants provide immediate support to our direct care workers who work tirelessly to ensure some of our most vulnerable residents have the services and supports they need to live independently in their communities,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake.

The organizations that received the grant Thursday are among the first wave to receive the funding made possible by the American Rescue Act. Many of these organizations are directly supporting DHS’s mission to improve and expand the direct care workforce in Wisconsin.

“We are proud to support the work of the organizations receiving these funds in their efforts to ensure quality care that will help strengthen our community-based programs,” added Timberlake.

One way organizations are addressing the issue is by introducing new technology combatting the shortage, such as remote monitoring. They’re also using inventive recruitment and retention strategies, and innovative and targeted marketing.

Much of the work they’re doing is helping find long-term solutions for the shortage crisis.

Since this is only the first round of grants, other organizations still have a chance to apply when DHS opens their second round in February. This program is only one of nine initiatives that is making use of the $350 million that Wisconsin received from ARPA.

That funding has gone toward supporting initiatives such as staff stability surveys, launching a new certified direct care professional program and creating a statewide registry of certified direct care professionals.

In 2022, DHS increased the rates for home and community-based service providers by 5%. They’re also establishing a minimum fee schedule, which ensures direct care providers receive adequate and competitive wages.