Consumer Directed Employer Project

PROJECT INFORMATION

Content on these pages references project work that transitioned employer responsibilities to the Consumer Directed Employer. If you have questions, please contact cde@dshs.wa.gov.


WELCOME WASHINGTON INDIVIDUAL PROVIDERS!

Phase 1 of the transition to the Consumer Directed Employer (CDE) program is underway. Finish your hiring by January 24, 2022. Phase 2 will begin in early January 2022. Unsure which Phase you’re in? Review our hiring phases map.

Have questions? Click the chat icon at the bottom right of your screen, email InfoCDWA@ConsumerDirectCare.com, or call 866-214-9899.

Need help completing the hiring process? We are hosting in-person hiring support sessions throughout the state. Visit our webinar and events calendar to register for a session near you.


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Beginning winter of 2021, the Consumer Directed Employer (CDE) will become the legal employer for Individual Providers (IPs) for in-home personal care. As the legal employer, the CDE will assume all IP employer related responsibilities  that are currently managed by DSHS and AAAs.

Why a CDE?

The move to a Consumer Directed Employer (CDE) model will shift the IP employment-related activities to the CDE and will help DSHS realize the goal of increasing the capacity of DSHS/AAA case management, customer service, and other social services staff to focus on core case management activities. The contracted CDE vendor is Consumer Direct of Washington (CDWA).


CDE Information & Resources

These webinars provide monthly updates and information to all interested individuals and organizations. Registration links can be found at https://www.consumerdirectwa.com/schedule/

  • Use the following link to enroll with ALTSA GovDelivery for email updates  Public GovDelivery ALTSA  select Consumer Directed Employer
  • Use the following link to enroll with DDA GovDelivery for email updates Public GovDelivery DDA select Consumer Directed Employer

Starting in 2018, this multi-year process will establish a contract between the Department of Social and Health Services and Consumer Direct of Washington (CDWA) to become the Consumer Directed Employer.  This entity will serve as the employer for Individual Providers of in-home personal care and respite in Washington state.  When the Consumer Directed Employer contract goes into effect, CDWA will handle the credentialing, payroll and other employer responsibilities currently managed by the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, Developmental Disabilities Administration and the Area Agencies on Aging. Consumers will continue to select, schedule, supervise, and dismiss their Individual Providers.

In November 2019, DSHS signed a contract with Consumer Direct of Washington (CDWA).

The Department remains committed to initiating the transition to the CDE by the legislatively required date of June 30, 2021.

The move to a CDE model will shift the IP employment-related activities to the CDEs and will help DSHS realize the goal of increasing the capacity of DSHS/AAA case management, customer service, and other social services staff to focus on core case management activities.  

New federal requirements were enacted in 2016 as part of the “21st Century Cures Act”.  The Act requires states to implement an electronic visit verification (EVV) system for personal care services delivered in the home.  DSHS has initiated the process to start implementation of EVV for IPs in the IPOne system to meet the federal timeline and avoid significant penalties. Home Care Agencies will implement separate EVV systems for Home Care Agency workers.

Please see the Questions and Answers page for additional details and background information.

DSHS has finalized direction regarding EVV for Live-in Individual Providers (An Individual Provider is a person who is under an individual provider contract with the department or an employee of the Consumer Directed Employer):

  • IPs who live with the client to whom they provide services will not be required to clock in or out, or record the location of the services. Instead, they will record the hours and tasks worked by day and submit timesheets to the CDE no less than weekly.
  • IPs working for a client with whom they do not live will use EVV to record hours of services provided as required by federal law. This includes clock in/out and tasks performed.

More information specific to EVV and the CDE project can be found on Talking Points #2 and #19 under “Materials and Resources” above or at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/stakeholders/consumer-directed-employer-materials-and-resources

The members of the Strategic Development Group represent a wide variety of constituents including participants, individual providers, DSHS and Area Agency on Aging staff, unions, and advocacy groups.

The mission of the CDE Strategic Development Group is to:

  • Serve as an advisory body and sounding board for DSHS administration on CDE planning issues;
  • Assist DSHS in strengthening communication with constituent groups on CDE issues of concern;
  • Provide essential and relevant feedback on CDE implementation plans and activities; and
  • Assist in identifying strategies and actions for addressing constituent concerns.

SDG Membership Roster/ SDG Meeting Schedule/SDG Meeting Materials

Meeting Name

Date & Time

Location

Handouts

IPAC Subcommittee

November 10, 2020

ALTSA HQ

 

IPAC Subcommittee

August 11, 2020

ALTSA HQ

Handouts

IPAC Subcommittee

June 9, 2020

ALTSA HQ

None

Consultation

February 11, 2020

ALTSA HQ

Handouts

Tribal Summit

November 1, 2019

Great Wolf Lodge
Grand Mound, WA

Handouts

Tribal Summit

June 6, 2019

Oxford Suites
Spokane, WA

Handouts

Tribal Summit

November 1, 2018

ALTSA HQ
4450 10th Ave SE
Lacey WA 98503

Handouts

Consultation

September 11, 2018

 

ALTSA HQ
4450 10th Ave SE
Lacey WA 98503

Handouts

Roundtable #2

September 4, 2018

ALTSA HQ
4450 10th Ave SE
Lacey WA 98503

Handouts

Roundtable #1

August 15, 2018

ALTSA HQ
4450 10th Ave SE
Lacey WA 98503

Handouts

IPAC Meeting

July 10, 2018

ALTSA Headquarters
4450 10th Ave SE
Lacey, WA 98503

Handouts