Scholarship Program

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• Scholarship Program

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Background

• Minnesota Statutes 256B.0918
• Enacted by 2005 legislature
• Changed by 2006 legislature
• Funded partially by MN Board of Nursing
• Modeled after existing program

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Funding Mechanism

• Up to 3/10 of 1 of Medical Assistance
  reimbursements.
• Reimbursed as an add-on to Medical Assistance
  base rate
• Payment added on to each billing cycle.

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Heres What Happened

• Life By Design Submitted a proposal to
  participate in the scholarship program and was
  accepted.
• We will start receiving scholarship money with
  each billing from September 1, 2006 through
  September 30, 2007.
• We project approximately 10,000 - 12,000 will
  be available to award under this contract

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How will it work?

• We will award the scholarships in 4 rounds over
  the next 13 months.
• Round 1 awards will be announced on October 16,
  2006.
• We will accept applications for Round 1 from
  September 1, 2006 until 5pm September 29, 2006
• Rounds 2, 3, and 4 will occur in Jan, April, and
  July 2007.

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Purpose of the program

• Create meaningful career paths in long-term care
• Support provider efforts to recruit, retain and
  train employees
• Expand the long-term care workforce.

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• We are committed to each employees personal and
  professional growth.
• LBDI value statement

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• We will create
• opportunities for professional development,
  greater autonomy, and high levels of
  responsibility for employees.
• LBDI goal statement

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• To promote a culture that incorporates and
  maintains best practices.
• LBDI goal statement

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Overall Goal of Scholarship Program

• To Promote longevity and career advancement for
  employees within LBDI and the field of long-term
  care.

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Career Advancement

• Career advancement consists of working towards
  the completion
• of a recognized certification, diploma, or
  degree.
• It may also be a change in
• title, position, increase in pay or one time
  bonus.

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Eligible Employees

• Employee must work an average of at least 20
  hours per week for at least 90 days consecutively
• Employee must be current on training requirements
• Employee may not be on a formal/written
  performance plan
• Excluded (cannot receive funds) Management
  staff without direct care duties Registered
  nurses, Therapists

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Eligible Expenses

• Eligible program expenses that the scholarships
  can be used for include
• Tuition
• Books
• Fees
• Other required direct educational expenses

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Education Opportunities

• Examples of recognized credentials
• Designated Coordinator Programs
• Certificate Program
• Associate degree (2 year)
• Bachelor degree (4 year)
• Certificates such as Behavioral Analyst or other
  certificates that are recognized outside of LBDI.
• Courses resulting in college credits or degrees
  in programs related to developmental disabilities
  or long-term care.
• Train the Trainer (CPR Trainer).

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Training not resulting in formal credentials
Training that leads to new responsibilities or
position description such as Lead
Staff Group Facilitator In-Service
Trainer Mentor Job Developer Program Developer
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Professional Development

• Title or Position Advancement
• Writing/Grammar Skills
• Supervision/Leadership Skills
• Public Speaking Skills
• Communication Skills

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Disability Focus

• Title or Position Advancement
• Mental Illness
• Supported Employment
• Diagnosis Specific (i.e.autism)
• ASL (American Sign Language)
• Recognized Credential
• Social Work

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Health Care

• Recognized Credential
• TMA (Trained Medical Administrator)
• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)
• LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
• RN (Registered Nurse)
• PT (Physical Therapist)
• OT (Occupational Therapist)

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How Do I Apply?

• Eligible Employees can either pick up a
  scholarship application at the LBDI office or
  call the Office Coordinator (Roma) _at_ (763)
  757-3263 to have one sent by mail.

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Application

• Applicants must satisfactorily complete all
  application requirements.

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• Applicants will provide specific information on
  their proposed educational program including the
  length, class and study time each week, their
  status with enrollment, and their projected
  graduation date.

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• As part of the application, employees will
  complete an essay describing how their
  educational program/course of study will affect
  the provision of services with individuals with
  disabilities

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• Applicants will submit completed applications to
  the Recruitment and Training Coordinator.
• The Recruitment and Training Coordinator will
  review all applications to verify eligibility
• and completion of the application requirements.

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Selection

• Eligible applications will be forwarded to the
  Director team for review.
• Director team will carefully review all
  applications using a point system to assess each
  area.
• Once all applications have been reviewed, the
  director team will select the top scoring
  applicants.

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Point System

• A Point System will be used to select scholarship
  award recipients. Points will be given for the
  following categories
• Tenure Points will be awarded for each year of
  service with LBDI
• Recognized Performance - Points will be awarded
  if employee has received any of the following
  ARRM Cares Nominee, Spirit Award, Mentor
  certificate or similar areas of performance.
• LBDI need - Points will be awarded to plans that
  meet a priority area for LBDI
• Program/Education Type Points will be awarded
  if type is directly related to services for
  people with developmental disabilities or similar
  populations needing long-term care.

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Who Gets What

• Award increments will be determined based on the
  projected amount available and the number of
  applicants selected.
• Emphasis will be on priority of program.
• Award values may range from
• 25 to 750
• Checks will be made directly to institution or to
  employee. (Invoices, fee statements, receipts
  will be needed).

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• Once the scholarship awards have been determined,
  a letter will be mailed to each applicant
  informing them of the results.

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• Applicants not selected to receive a scholarship
  award, may resubmit their application for the
  next round.

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• An employee that receives a scholarship award is
  expected to
• Maintain eligibility by working an average of
  at least 20 hours per week
• Complete and pass their course or program.
• Submit completion document, i.e., grade, degree,
  certificate, etc.

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Spreading the word

• Payroll Stuffers 8/16/06
• Lifeline Newsletter 8/21/06
• Program policies will be mailed to all
• employees within the next 10 days
• Posters at LBDI Office
• Staff Meetings
• Flyers at the LBDI Picnic
• Employment Opportunities Ads

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Questions
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Contact

• Scholarship Program Questions
• April Bombard
• Recruitment and Training Coordinator
• [phone]
• abombard_at_lifebydesign-inc.com