Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living (TRIPIL)?

TRIPIL is a private not-for-profit Independent Living corporation within Southwestern Pennsylvania providing a blend of services and advocacy to the community and individuals experiencing disabilities that promotes integration, consumer control and choice.

Because TRIPIL is owned and operated by persons with disabilities it organizationally possesses a personal understanding of how it "feels" to live in our society with a disability. This distinction makes the advocacy and services offered uniquely different from other traditional service providers.

With a deep commitment to helping people with disabilities remain in least restrictive environments, TRIPIL takes the lead in working for increased housing, transportation, accessibility, public education, assistive technology and direct care assistance services within the tri-county areas of Washington, Fayette, and Greene.

To increase direct care worker availability TRIPIL has developed a Direct Care Worker′s Center to address the serious recruitment and retention issues associated with developing and maintaining a quality in-home direct care workforce

For additional information about the TRIPIL organization and Independent Living philosophy please visit Tripil′s Website

What is the Direct Care Center Workers′ Center ?

Established in 2005 by a grant received from Pennsylvania′s Department of Labor and Industry, a regional Direct Care Workers′ Center was created by TRIPIL to address the workforce crisis which threatens to diminish the accessibility and quality of long-term, in-home care.

The Direct Care Workers′ Center offers an array of services to include, a Registry to assist consumers and employers find direct care workers and help workers piece together full-time employment from multiple part-time jobs; training to prescreened workers; supportive services to address worker retention issues such as; child/elder care, transportation, budgeting, and job skills; exploring ways to provide workers with health insurance and consumer employers with fiscal administration services.

Regional Direct Care Workers′ Centers are located in four convenient locations within Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties. In addition a Direct Care Workers′ training site has been established which is centrally located within the tri-county region. Please visit it at 433-435 McKean Avenue in Charleroi, Pennsylvania.

What is the purpose of a centralized web-based Registry of consumers and workers?

In pursuit of an independent lifestyle, the Direct-care Workers′ Center Registry matches direct care workers to prospective employers. The registry maintains one database of individuals seeking employment as direct care workers and a second database of people with disabilities and seniors seeking direct care workers. At the present time, both databases register individuals in Washington, Fayette, and Greene Counties of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

By registering, workers and employers are assisted to make swift employment connections matched to their needs. In addition, the Direct Care Workers′ Center can assist workers with accessing valuable training; developing multiple part-time assignments into full-time employment; qualifying for group purchased health benefits; and accessing supportive services to assist workers with resolving such issues as; child/elder care, transportation, budgeting, and job preparation.

Who pays for worker training?

Currently Direct Care training costs are subsidized by a grant received from one of TRIPIL′s many partners; the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. Over the next two years the Direct Care Workers′ Center will be working to secure provider agreements that subsidize career training.

What are the benefits to being registered on the Direct Care Workers′ Center Registry?

Completing universal training qualifies workers for the types of skill sets necessary to be a successful direct care workers; being eligible for competitive hourly wages and creates participation within a larger group which makes access to health benefits a greater possibility.

Workers who complete training are additionally eligible for neighborhood resource center services that include: referrals to available job opportunities matched to their unique geographical and schedule needs; supportive services to resolve such issues as; child/elder care, transportation, job counseling, and budgeting; and access to convenient locations to collect paychecks.

Additionally, as workers complete enhanced skills training they become eligible for more complex assignments which in turn allow for increases in hourly earnings.

How are candidates approved for registration on the Direct Care Registry?

Interested direct care worker candidates must:

• Complete and submit an on-line or paper “worker intake form”
• Provide proof of citizenship or legal alien status
• Submit results of TB test
• Provide two professional/personal references
• Consent to obtain criminal and child abuse clearances
• Be 18 years of age
• Be available to work a number of hours, days, times
• Submit proof of a Social Security number and provide current photo identification

Consumer-employer candidates must:

• Complete and submit a paper information form
• Have third party (waiver) funding for attendant care services or be willing to self-pay

 

What is a Resource Coordinator?

Resource Coordinators are Direct Care Workers′ Center staff who recruit workers and assist them to be successful in their work as direct care workers. They are able to assist with the registry process; make referrals to available employment opportunities; identify connections to supportive services such as transportation, child/elder care, and budgeting; and help to develop direct care worker networks for mutual support.

What occurs after a worker candidate completes training?

Worker candidates who complete training are assigned a Resource Coordinator who provides pre-and post-employment services during a direct care worker′s first three years of work. Resource Coordinators are conveniently located throughout Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties at one of four regional Direct Care Centers.

How are problems or complaints resolved?

If a Direct Care Worker or Consumer-Employer has a complaint about services offered by the Direct Care Workers′ Center they should first contact their Resource Coordinator who will assist in the resolution of the complaint. If a resolution has not occurred within a week the complaint may be taken to the Direct Care Workers′ Center Director.

How does personal information get changed?

Changes in worker or consumer information must be reported swiftly to Resource Coordinators who will make changes to the registry data base.

How do I get notified about upcoming trainings, events?

Upcoming dates of training and events are posted on this web site.