News & Updates

In 2021, DDS received $10 million in funding to establish a grant program to improve access to services that increase pathways to employment. Please see below for more information on the grant structure, funding information, and grant guidelines.

California is collecting data from agencies that employ Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) about factors that impact the workforce. There is an $8,000 incentive payment for agencies that complete the survey. The DSP workforce is experiencing challenges such as high turnover and vacancy rates, which can affect the lives of individuals needing support. Stakeholders have expressed support for learning more about the employment of DSPs to inform policy changes, designing recruitment and retention efforts, and examining the impact of rate increases over time. The data collection effort will establish baseline information from which DDS, agencies, and stakeholders may assess challenges, evaluate the impact of existing initiatives and shape future policies to improve workforce stability.

Beginning March 14, 2022, the requirements for completing COVID-19 special incident reports (SIRs) as specified in the Department’s May 22, 2020 Directive are amended.

Covered employees in public or private sectors who work for employers with 26 or more employees are entitled to up to 80 hours of 2022 COVID-19 related paid sick leave from January 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022, immediately upon an oral or written request to their employer, with up to 40 of those hours available only when an employee or family member tests positive for COVID-19.

Due to the enactment of Senate Bill (SB) 3, the California minimum wage will increase to $15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2022, for employers with 26 or more employees, and to $14.00 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. As a result, a number of regional center vendors may be eligible for a rate adjustment in order to pay employees the new minimum wage.