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The National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services (NRCPDS), housed at the Graduate School of Social Work, was recently awarded a $2.25-million grant by the US Administration on Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The grant will support a three-year project, titled “Accelerating Participant Direction Philosophy and Models in the Aging Network,” which will identify essential skills necessary in job occupations that provide assistance to seniors and persons with disabilities in finding and obtaining home- and community-based services so they can remain in their homes and communities. These skills should enhance the ability of providers to ensure choice and control are in the hands of the consumer.
The NRCPDS assists states, agencies and organizations in offering participant-directed services to people with disabilities. It provides national leadership, technical assistance, training, education and research to secure participant-directed options in all home- and community-based services and ultimately improve the lives of people of all ages with disabilities.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the aging network to develop the staff competencies and the training approach so that program participants can shape the supports and services that best fit their unique needs,” said GSSW Professor Kevin Mahoney, who directs the NRCPDS.