About the PCA Directory

HELP IS ON THE WAY! REWARDING WORK TO DEVELOP INTERNET DIRECTORY TO FIND PCAs

The PCA Workforce Council has signed a contract with Rewarding Work Resources, Inc. (Rewarding Work) for that company to develop and operate a web based referral directory that will help consumers locate and hire PCAs. The directory, which will have a searchable database, will make the task of recruitment and hiring considerably easier for the 15,000 plus MassHealth members who will use the directory free of charge.

According to Dr. Jean McGuire, Asst. Secretary of Health and Human Services and Chair of the Council, "The mandate of the Council is to take a number of actions that will make it easier for consumers to find and retain PCAs. Establishing this directory is an important step in meeting our mandate."

Rewarding Work, which is operating similar sites for Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as a paid site in Massachusetts, will also be responsible for recruitment and outreach activities to increase awareness of the website among consumers, PCAs and potential PCAs.

Neither MassHealth consumers seeking PCAs, nor persons seeking employment as PCAs, will be charged to use this site. Using this site, consumers will be able to screen for issues such as the PCA's distance from their home, language, experience and a range of other relevant factors. Consumers who do not have access to a computer will be able to telephone a call center working with Rewarding Work. Staff at the center will help consumers access the database. The approximately 30 Personal Care Management agencies (PCMs) that assist consumers with evaluations and skills training will also have access to the website. Staff at Rewarding Work are overseeing development of the site. The website should be up and operating by June, 2009. Until that date, consumers are still able to access Rewarding Work's site, for a small fee. Rewarding Work can be reached at http://www.rewardingwork.org/.