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Easter Seals Passages tells council staffing shortages and state waiver caps are constraining services
Summary
Easter Seals Passages told the Whitley County Council it faces substantial staffing vacancies—32% in supported living and 63% in group homes—and that state waiver-slot caps for 2025 (about 200 statewide) are limiting new community waiver placements.
Stacy, representing Easter Seals Passages, told the Whitley County Council on March 3 that her agency is facing sharp workforce shortages and state-level changes that are constraining how many people can access community waiver services.
"For supported living, we have a vacancy rate of 32% for our staffing. For group home, we have 63% for our vacancy rates," Stacy said. She told the council that the state has capped waiver slots for the 2025 fiscal year and that "they have about 200 slots available across the state of Indiana," a limit the agency said is pushing some placements toward group-home settings rather than supported living.
Stacy and Ashley described how Easter Seals operates several program types — supported living (individuals in their own homes sharing staff), group homes (all-inclusive PDM/day-based funding), Boundless Days (day services and community inclusion), and one-on-one community living supports — and said referrals for group-home slots are made by the state according to level-of-care availability.
The presenters highlighted partnerships that help the agency deliver services and community connections: Peabody Valley Library (shared activities), Sunny Path (a local conservation and animal program that helped participants open up and engage), and a Pay It Forward grant that allowed community-giving activities. They said one program participant has an employment opportunity at Blue River Nursery following work-based supports.
Stacy also reported a recent sprinkler-system failure at one facility that flooded part of their building and temporarily displaced services; Tri Lakes Church has hosted the displaced program while contractors complete repairs. The presenters said the agency is recruiting and has posted a director of culture and talent development to address retention.
Why it matters: staffing and waiver limits affect placements and the region’s ability to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in less-restrictive, community-based settings. County leaders noted the presentation and will consider capacity and referrals when discussing related budgets and partnerships.
Next steps: Easter Seals will continue outreach and grant-seeking; council members heard the update and had the opportunity to ask questions at the meeting.
