Cherish News for Program Recipients, Families and Staff

Cherish is looking for employees in nearly all locations! 
Contact Kalee kalee@cherished1.co   (218)263-9000

Cherish appreciates our program participants and our staff. 
This news is intended to bring to your attention information that could help.

PCAs will recieve a raise on 1/1/2024.  Other Direct Care workers may also receive a wage increase, but DHS has not provided the specifics yet.  Check back here as Cherish will post the information as it becomes available.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Employee Sick and Safe Time (ESST) will begin to accrue at the rate of one hour per 30 hours worked.  You may use time that you have accrued if you are sick, it is not Paid Time Off and it is not paid out when you leave Cherish. Your accrual caps at 48 hours. PCA Choice employees are not covered under this program because the Union Contract covers ESST requirements.  Sick and safe time is paid leave employers must provide to employees in Minnesota that can be used for certain reasons, including when an employee is sick, to care for a sick family member or to seek assistance if an employee or their family member has experienced domestic abuse.  https://www.dli.mn.gov/sick-leave  We are assuming that on 1/1/2026 when the Paid Family and Medical Leave act begins through the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program begins, that the ESST program will end.

You may qualify for a MN DHS retention bonus if you have been working at Cherish for 2 or more years
Follow this link to apply>>> https://www.theodysseygroup.com/retentionbonuses

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) direct care workers and traditional personal care assistance (PCA) workers may apply for retention bonus and training stipend grant initiatives

HCBS direct care workers and traditional PCA workers may apply for grant initiatives, including a retention bonus and PCA training stipend. The two initiatives are part of the Legislature-created HCBS grant developed to help attract new direct care workers and keep current employees who provide HCBS services to people with disabilities and older adults. Review the Apply for grant initiatives, including retention bonuses and training stipends AASD and DSD eList announcement for information about the retention bonus and training stipend, including application information. Refer to the HCBS Workforce Development Grant webpage for information about the grant initiatives and legislation.

The 2023 Legislative Session is Complete and an Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill Was Passed
Numerous rate increases are included, such as home care services, home and community-based services, and certain disability waiver services.  A worker retention component is Included for PCA  and language that says the Commissioner of DHS must determine the reimbursement rate for PCA services (which means we don't know what the reimbursement rate will be or how much of an increase Direct Care Providers will recieve yet) Effective 1/1/2024

Also passed was the $260 tax rebate, the $1,750 child tax credit, paid family leave and free student meals.

Human Services Legislation  https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2023/0/Session+Law/Chapter/61/

Some issues that may affect you or those you serve:

DHS extends temporary waiver allowing certain family
members to be paid for providing PCA services

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNDHS/bulletins/35a2726