Category: Industry News

In July 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new quality measures for home- and community-based services (HCBS). The home health industry has been consistently regulated by high-quality standards, but the personal home care industry has typically not been governed by quality measures such as these. At Direct Care Innovations, we’d like […]

Individuals living with disabilities and their caregivers will be the focus of a new Broadway play by Pulitzer Prize-winner, Martyna Majok this fall. “Cost of Living” will make its debut at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater in midtown Manhattan. At Direct Care Innovations, we’re excited to see that the life experiences of those living with […]

As one of the largest and fastest-growing occupations, the direct care workforce is an essential part of providing quality and effective health care services. Direct care employees work with individuals who need long-term care or personal assistance on a daily basis. Not only are direct care staff valuable to those they serve, but they’re also […]

It is truly amazing how much can be accomplished through technology. Online shopping, staying connected with friends and loved ones, and conducting business are simply a few of the many developments that have been made over the last few decades. At Direct Care Innovations, we understand that technology has played a major part in helping […]

Not all students successfully transition into college life. The change can be even more strenuous for those living with intellectual disabilities or autism. Fortunately, several colleges now offer residential experiences tailored to students with autism. In this post, Direct Care Innovations covers these residence hall programs and why we need them. 

Do you know what foster care and Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) services have in common? Both services drop off once young people reach a certain age. Fortunately, After 22, a new Chicago IDD transition program seeks to bridge the gap. In this post, Direct Care Innovations explains. 

Without direct care providers/direct support professionals, the agencies Direct Care Innovations supports wouldn’t exist. Therefore, neither would we. When DSPs succeed, grow and climb the ladder in the Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) world, their agencies do, too. For this reason, we take the opportunity to review the DSP staffing deficit and identify ways to help our […]

The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to national and global health policy and news. KFF recently hosted several focus groups consisting of both paid and nonpaid HCBS caregivers. HCBS caregiver concerns varied some; however, chief among the concerns was low wages. Can Biden’s American Jobs Plan help? In this post, Direct […]

Food insecurity isn’t a new issue. Therefore, government agencies and nonprofits alike tackle the issue in various ways. However, those living with disabilities make up a subset of those dealing with food scarcity, and they have unique needs and challenges. What can we do to address food insecurity for those with disabilities? In this post, […]

As care recipients suffer from home healthcare worker shortages across the country, local governments scramble to meet community needs. Lawmakers attempt to fund pay increases and self-directed care at the national level. For example, the Department of Homeland Security deployed the National Guard to four facilities in Wisconsin. In California, caregivers receive $500 state-funded bonuses. […]