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Committee hears workforce bills to credential direct support professionals and extend PCA college service corps
Summary
The committee considered bills to pilot a certified direct support professional credential (SF1062) and to extend the PCA Service Corps program; higher education and program managers said the pilot creates college credit pathways and retention incentives for direct care workers and requested layover for finance review.
Lawmakers heard bipartisan proposals aimed at strengthening the direct‑care workforce.
Supporters described Senate File 1062 as a pilot to create a tiered credential and college‑credit pathway for direct support professionals. Michael Burke, a community college president, said the project—backed by a Bush Foundation grant—would develop curriculum for a certified direct support professional credential and help recruit and retain workers: "Direct care workers constitute a large section of the health care system...this pilot offers college credit education leading to a high value certification," he told the committee.
Separately, advocates asked the committee to extend the PCA Service Corps no‑cost for one year so colleges can continue placing students in work‑study roles helping people who receive personal care assistance. Michelle, the program manager, said students obtain valuable work experience and sometimes college credit while participants gain continuity of care.
Committee members praised the workforce focus and laid SF1062 and related PCA items over for possible inclusion and finance review so staff can reconcile fiscal language and implementation timelines.
What happens next: Bills were laid over for possible inclusion; committee asked for coordination with finance staff and clarity on pilot metrics and allowable credit hours.
