State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

OPM Banner
Personal Care Attendant Workforce Council   Authorizing Statute: Section 17b-706a of the CT General Statutes

Contact The PCA Workforce Council 

Email: PCAcouncil@ct.gov
Phone: 860-418-6370 (please leave a message & we will return your call)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  Members 

Member Category per CGC Section 17b-706a

Designee

Governor’s Appointment

“a member of an organization representing the interests of elderly consumers”

Fran Mazzarella

Housing Director, Corporation for Independent Living

Governor’s Appointment

“a member of an organization representing the interests of consumers with developmental disabilities”

Kathleen Flaherty

Executive Director, the Connecticut Legal Rights Project

Governor’s Appointment

“a member of an organization representing the interests of consumers with physical disabilities”

Eileen Healy

Executive Director, Independence Northwest, Center for Independent Living

House Speaker

“a member of an organization representing the interests of consumers with developmental disabilities”

Margaret Szymanski

Parent of Consumer & Employer of Record

DSS – Commissioner Gifford

“the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services or the Commissioner’s designee”

Dawn Lambert

Co-Leader Community Options Unit, DSS

OHA – Health Care Advocate

“the Healthcare Advocate or the Healthcare Advocate’s designee”

 

Adam Prizio

Staff Attorney, OHA

DDS – Commissioner

“the Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services or the Commissioner’s designee”

Denise Paladino

Director, DDS Self Determination

Office of Policy and Management

“the Secretary of the Office of Policy & Management or the Secretary’s designee”

Claudio Gualtieri

Chair of the PCA Workforce Council, and Undersecretary of Health and Human Services, Office of Policy Management

House Majority Leader

“a member of an organization representing the interests of elderly consumers”

VACANT

House Minority Leader

“a member of an organization representing the interests of consumers with physical disabilities”

Lucas Sundwall

Consumer & Employer of Record

Senate Minority Leader

“a member of an organization representing the interests of elderly consumers”

 

Fran Sinish

Consumer/Older Adult

President Pro Tempore

“a member of an organization representing the interests of consumers with physical disabilities”

 

VACANT

Senate Majority Leader

“a member of an organization representing the interests of consumers with developmental disabilities”

VACANT

Information on Council Member Roles and Responsibilities

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2022 Special Meeting Regarding PCA Registry Development 
Monday, November 14, 2022 - 11:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 213 826 961 614
Passcode: CrMQMp

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 860-840-2075,,159297753#   United States, Hartford

Phone Conference ID: 159 297 753#

2023 Meeting Schedule

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 – 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. 

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 231 680 268 064
Passcode: tjDp5r

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 860-840-2075,,161370989#   United States, Hartford

Phone Conference ID: 161 370 989#

 

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 – 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. 

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 277 042 462 228
Passcode: xCoFLy

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 860-840-2075,,933941518#   United States, Hartford

Phone Conference ID: 933 941 518#

 

Tuesday, July 25, 2023 – 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. 

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 282 931 064 171
Passcode: cdGfPL

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 860-840-2075,,280582749#   United States, Hartford

Phone Conference ID: 280 582 749#

 

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 – 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. 

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 236 243 649 340
Passcode: z2CjDf

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 860-840-2075,,831748168#   United States, Hartford

Phone Conference ID: 831 748 168#

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEW!  Covered Connecticut Program

*Consumer Employers/Employer's of Record - *Please Consider Sharing with Your Employees*

We encourage you to let your employees know that the State of Connecticut has expanded the Covered Connecticut Program. Connecticut residents who meet specific eligibility requirements are paying $0 for their health insurance coverage through Access Health. The Covered Connecticut Program provides health insurance coverage, dental coverage, and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

Your employees can learn more about Covered Connecticut at AccessHealthCT.com and they can also complete an application on that website to see if they qualify for the program. In addition, free enrollment and eligibility help is available by calling Access Health at 1-855-805-4325. This is a very exciting program that provides health insurance coverage to thousands of Connecticut residents: please share this information with your employees as you see fit.

Covered Connecticut 1-Page Overview

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEW! Council Corner - Information for Consumer Employers/Employers of Record 

Council Corners are brief updates on important information included in the newsletters disseminated by the state's fiscal intermediaries.  

July 2022 
November 2021
July 2021 

March 2021 

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COVID-19 Resources for Consumer-Employers and PCAs

Updated October 12, 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 finding yourself without a PCA due to COVID-19 please contact your Care Manager immediately.  If you are experiencing a true medical emergency contact 911.

 

*NEW* Emergency Supports for Consumer-Employers During COVID-19 

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, DSS and DDS have established emergency procedures for:

  • Approval of PCA Overtime

  • Increasing Individual Budgets

  • Hiring New Staff

  • 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*

DDS Self-Directed Programs

 

Moratorium on New Hire Orientation Requirement  - *Updated April 1, 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 on or before January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020, who are still currently employed, must complete an orientation before May 8, 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      

Electronic Visit Verification - It's Here !

I Have To Do What?  Your Responsibilities as An Employer or Employer of Record

Sunset Shores Payroll Tips

Allied Payroll Tips

          

 _____

 


The 3rd annual PCA Employer Forum was a success!
All of the materials from the October 27, 2018
forum are available here:

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

 

 

Employers Choosing to Provide the Orientation Him/Herself

Employers that choose to provide the orientation him/herself must following these steps:         

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
860-627-5986 (fax)
1-877-722-8833 (phone)

Sunset Shores
1-866-380-0149 (fax)
1-800-887-0647 (option 1) (phone)

 

 

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

 

Documents

 

 

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


The PCA Workforce Council


Meet Your Fiscal Intermediaries


Electronic Visit Verification


How to Recruit and Interview the Right PCA for You


Managing Your Individual Budget