
COVID-19 Resources for Consumer-Employers and PCAs
Updated January 5, 2021
The PCA Workforce Council has created a special COVID-19 section of its web page to provide important programmatic updates for Medicaid consumers self-directing their own care and the Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) that work for them. This page is not intended to be an exhaustive resource page on COVID-19. For the most comprehensive and up-to-date information related to COVID-19 and Connecticut’s response, please visit the official state COVID-19 Web page https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus.
If you are fining yourself without a PCA due to COVID-19 please contact your Care Manager immediately. If you are experiencing a true medical emergency contact 911.
NEWS AND UPDATES
Paid Leave Programs - *Updated January 4, 2021*
The federal government recently passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Act). The Act created two Paid Leave programs related to COVID 19:
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Paid Sick Leave - up to two weeks (80 hours) of Paid Time-Off. This benefit is available to all PCAs no matter how long they have worked for an employer; and
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Expanded Family and Medical Leave (EFMLA) - up to 12 weeks off. This benefit is available to PCAs who have worked for an employer for at least 30 days. The first two weeks of this expanded Family and Medical Leave are unpaid and the next 10 weeks are Paid Time-Off; However, these two benefits are designed so (1) and (2) can be taken TOGETHER to allow eligible PCAs to receive up to a maximum of 12 weeks of Paid Time off. Eligible PCAs will have access to these benefits from April 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020.
UPDATE: On December 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Relief Bill was signed by the President. Among other things, the Bill extends the Paid Leave programs through March 31, 2021. The lifetime maximum benefit amounts remain the same, therefore, PCAs who exhausted their paid leave benefits prior to 12/31/20 are not entitled to additional benefits as a result of this extension.
IMPORTANT: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA are paid for with additional federal funding and do not impact Individual Consumer-Employer budgets in any way.
PCAs may be eligible to use both programs.
For more information about the benefit amounts, eligibility criteria, application process and the rights of consumer-employers and PCAs please view the resources below.
Please note: The Frequently Asked Questions documents will be updated as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions for Consumer-Employers
Frequently Asked Questions for PCAs
U.S. Department of Labor Paid Leave Poster English Spanish
Fiscal Intermediary Intake Forms to Apply for Paid Leave
Paid Expanded Family and Medical Leave Intake Form
*NEW* Emergency Supports for Consumer-Employers During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, DSS and DDS have established emergency procedures for:
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Approval of PCA Overtime
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Increasing Individual Budgets
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Hiring New Staff
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And more …
For information on these new options and how to access them during the COVID-19 crisis, please review the memo below that pertains to the agency through which you receive services:
DSS - including all Consumer First Choice Recipients *Updated October 13, 2020*
Moratorium on New Hire Orientation Requirement - *Updated January 5, 2021
The PCA Workforce Council and SEIU 1199NE puts the health and safety of consumer-employers and their Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) above all else. Therefore, in light of COVID-19, the decision was made on March 15, 2020 to cancel all New Hire Orientations until further notice. Fortunately, the 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund (TUF) has been able to launch a virtual orientation program using the virtual platform Zoom. Therefore, the requirement for all PCAs hired on or after January 1, 2020 to attend new hire orientation is back in effect. This notice provides information about the PCA orientation program and when your PCA will be required to complete it.
When must orientation be completed?
PCA’s hired from March 1, 2020 -December 31, 2020, who are still currently employed, must complete an orientation before March 31, 2021 as a condition of employment.
All PCAs hired as of January 1, 2021 are required to complete an orientation within 90 days of the date of hire. A PCA who has not completed orientation within that timeframe cannot work as a PCA until the orientation is complete.
Resources for Additional Information
Unemployment Insurance: https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/
State of CT COVID-19 Information: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus
State of CT COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions: Includes information on assistance available during the COVID-19 for issues such as: rental and mortgage assistance, utility assistance; internet assistance and HUSKY Health. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/COVID-19-FAQs.pdf?la=en
2-1-1 Resource Guide of Community-Based Programs: For help identifying and connecting with basic needs programs like food, utilities, healthcare, child care, diapers, and more, visit https://uwc.211ct.org/covid19resources or call 2-11
The 4th Annual Employer Forum Is In The Books!
Thank you to all of the consumer-employers who attended.
You made the day a success!
All of the Materials from the November 2, 2019 Forum Can Be Found Here
Overview of the Day
The PCA Workforce Council
- About the PCA Workforce Council
- Your Rights As a Consumer-Employer
- Join the PCA Workforce Council - Information on Council Member Roles and Responsibilities
Electronic Visit Verification - It's Here !
- EVV Overview PowerPoint
- Using EVV PowerPoint
- Sandata CDS EVV Toolkit English
- Sandata CDS EVV Toolkit Spanish
I Have To Do What? Your Responsibilities as An Employer or Employer of Record
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Information
Email: PCAcouncil@ct.gov
Phone: 860-418-6370 (please leave a message)
Members
- David Guttchen (Chair)
- Mary Caruso
- Kathleen Flaherty
- Sheila Mulvey
- Denise Paladino
- Dawn Lambert (Acting Interim DSS Representative)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The 3rd annual PCA Employer Forum was a success! Agenda The PCA Workforce Council Tips for Hiring A Personal Care Assistant
Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Overview of the 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement Handouts from Fiscal Intermediaries |
Information About PCA Orientation
- Video on PCA Orientation Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window
- Notice to Employers About PCA Orientation
- FAQ on PCA Orientation
Employers Choosing to Provide the Orientation Him/Herself
Employers that choose to provide the orientation him/herself must following these steps:
- Complete the Opt-Out Form. The form must be completed and returned to your fiscal intermediary within 14 days. You may mail or fax the form. The contact information for your fiscal intermediary is below.
- Inform your PCA of their requirement to attend the Union-Only portion of an orientation group session. Under the collective bargaining agreement between the Workforce Council and the union that represents your PCA, 30 minutes of the orientation covers workers’ rights and responsibilities presented by a Union representative. The first 30 minutes of every group session will cover these topics. Registration for group sessions is covered below.
- Provide the rest of the orientation to your PCA. You must follow the standard curriculum. Orientation must be provided during non-service hours. Your PCA will be paid $45.00 for completing the full orientation you provide and union-only portion of the orientation group session, which will not be counted against your service budget.
- Once completed, return the Employer Orientation Certification form. Completing and returning this form promptly will ensure your PCA receives credit for completing orientation and is paid the orientation stipend. Orientation is not complete until you have returned the Employer Orientation Certification form AND your PCA has attended the union-only session.
Fiscal Intermediary Contact Information
Allied Community Resources
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Sunset Shores
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Orientation Group Sessions
Orientation group sessions are provided by the 1199 New England Health Care Employees Union and Training & Upgrading Fund under a contract with the Workforce Council. For a list of orientation group sessions, click here. Register now online by clicking here.
For more information regarding PCA orientation and training please contact the 1199 Training & Upgrading Fund at 860-804-4869.
Meetings
- Dec. 14, 2011: Agenda | Minutes
- Jan. 4, 2012: Agenda | Minutes
- Feb. 1, 2012: Agenda | Minutes
- Mar. 7, 2012: Agenda
- Mar. 12, 2012: Agenda
- Feb. 21, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- Mar. 15, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- Apr. 5, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- Apr. 19, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- May 17, 2013: Agenda -- *CANCELED*
- Jun. 21, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- Aug. 2, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- Aug. 8, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- Aug. 23, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- Oct. 25, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- Nov. 15, 2013: *CANCELED*
- Dec. 20, 2013: Agenda | Minutes
- Feb. 21, 2014: Agenda | Minutes
- Mar. 21, 2014: Agenda
- Apr. 25, 2014: Agenda
- May 16, 2014: *CANCELED*
- Jun. 20, 2014: Agenda | Minutes
- Jul. 18, 2014: *CANCELED*
- Aug. 15, 2014: Agenda | Minutes
- Sep. 19, 2014: *CANCELED*
- Oct. 17, 2014: Agenda | Minutes
- Nov. 21, 2014: *CANCELED*
- Dec. 19, 2014: Agenda | Minutes
- May 1, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- July 15, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- Aug. 31, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- Oct. 23, 2015: *CANCELED*
- Nov. 13, 2015: *CANCELED*
- Jan. 8 , 2016: Agenda | Minutes
- Feb. 5, 2016: Agenda | Minutes
- Apr. 14, 2016: Agenda | Minutes
- Jul. 13, 2016: Agenda | Minutes
- Oct. 21, 2016: Agenda | Minutes
- May 4, 2017: Agenda | Minutes
- Jul. 6, 2017: Agenda | Minutes
- Oct. 19, 2017: Agenda | Minutes
- Jan. 4, 2018: *CANCELED*
- Apr. 12, 2018: Agenda | Minutes
- Jul. 12, 2018: Agenda | Minutes
- Oct. 11, 2018: Agenda | Minutes
- Jan. 8, 2019: Agenda I Minutes
- April 9, 2019 Agenda I Minutes
- July 9, 2019 Agenda I Minutes
- October 8, 2019 Agenda I Minutes Materials: 2019 Employer Forum Flyer and Agenda
- January 14, 2020 Agenda | Minutes
- April 14, 2020 Agenda| Recording - Phone only – 860-840-2075 Conference ID: 6279708333#
- July 14, 2020 Agenda | PCA Workforce Council 7-14-20 | Adjournment Vote
- October 13, 2020 Agenda |PCA Workforce Council 10-13-20 Recording | Adjournment Vote | '21 Meeting Schedule
- January 12, 2021 Agenda |PCA Workforce Council 1-12-21 Recording | Adjournment Vote
Documents
- 2021 Meeting Schedule
- 2020 Meeting Schedule
- Community First Choice Questions and Answers - July 2018
- Collective Bargaining Agreement 2018
- Amended Article 13 of Collective Bargaining Agreement 2018
- Summary of 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Personal Care Assistant Resources - Rewarding Work Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window
- PCA Orientation Curriculum
- PCA Orientation Handouts
- Letter to Employers Regarding PCA Orientation
- Contract between the Workforce Council and the 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund
- Collective Bargaining Agreement Extension Agreement
- Memorandum of Agreement on Paid Time Off
Recruitment/Retention/Referral Workgroup
Members
Mary Caruso
Meetings
- June 4, 2014: Minutes
- July 10, 2014: Agenda | Minutes
- August 7, 2014: *CANCELED*
- September 3, 2014: *CANCELED*
- October 7, 2014: Agenda | Minutes
- November 4, 2014: *CANCELED*
- December 3, 2014: *CANCELED*
- June 3, 2015: *CANCELED*
- July 8, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- August 12, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- September 2, 2015: *CANCELED*
- October 7, 2015: *CANCELED*
- November 4, 2015: *CANCELED*
- December 2, 2015: *CANCELED*
Training Workgroup
Members
- Greg McMahon
- Sheila Mulvey
Meetings
- October 9, 2014: Minutes
- November 5, 2014: Agenda | Minutes
- January 7, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- February 4, 2015: *CANCELED*
- February 19, 2015: Minutes
- March 4, 2015:
- April 1, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- April 22, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- May 6, 2015: *CANCELED*
- June 3, 2015: *CANCELED*
- July 8, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- August 12, 2015: Agenda | Minutes
- September 2, 2015: *CANCELED*
- October 7, 2015: *CANCELED*
- November 4, 2015: *CANCELED*
- December 2, 2015: *CANCELED*
The 2nd Annual PCA Employer Forum was a success! All of the materials from the November 4, 2017 forum are available here:
Agenda
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