Session Recording:
Coming Soon!
Overview:
This Caregiver Lunch and Learn session explored the challenges facing Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) in Pennsylvania, highlighting policy recommendations and advocacy strategies to improve service accessibility. The discussion emphasized the importance of sustainable funding, workforce support, and systemic transparency to ensure individuals with disabilities and older adults can access quality care within their communities.
Key Takeaways:
The State of HCBS in Pennsylvania:
HCBS programs are essential for promoting independence, yet funding constraints, workforce shortages, and bureaucratic barriers continue to limit their effectiveness.
Workforce Shortages & Funding Challenges:
Inadequate wages and resource misallocation have led to a significant shortage of HCBS caregivers, reducing service quality and availability.
Barriers to Accessibility:
Long waiting lists, transportation issues, and restrictive eligibility criteria prevent many individuals from receiving the support they need.
Policy Recommendations:
Advocates are calling for increased caregiver wages, streamlined waiver programs, and incentives for self-paid caregiving to build a more sustainable HCBS system.
Advocacy in Action:
Engaging stakeholders, empowering communities, and sharing personal testimonies are key strategies to drive legislative change and improve HCBS accessibility in Pennsylvania.
Supplemental Materials
Companion Podcast
Companion 1 Pager