ALTSA: NH #2021-045; ALTSA: ALF #2021-031; Discontinuation of Rapid Response Teams

ALTSA: NH #2021-045; ALTSA: ALF #2021-031; Discontinuation of Rapid Response Teams

Over the past few months, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) has been able to assist providers with short-term staffing issues through the use of a contracted temporary staffing agency that provides Rapid Response Teams throughout the state. This assistance was made possible through funds DSHS received as a part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Unfortunately, this funding will be ending on June 30, 202,1 and a new funding source has not yet been made accessible. As a result, use of the Rapid Response teams through the DSHS contract will not be available after June 2021. The last day a provider will be able to request use of a team through DSHS is June 26, 2021.

DSHS continues to pursue avenues for funding of this program. If new funding is made available, DSHS will work to access the available monies to maintain this program for providers at no charge and this will be communicated to providers as soon as possible.

Providers may still work directly with the staffing agency that has been providing the Rapid Response teams. As a part of the Emergency Volunteer Program in Washington state, the staff on the team may continue to work in Washington as long as our state remains in a Governor declared state of emergency. However, each home will need to contract directly with the staffing agency and pay the agency for the services provided.

If you are interested in accessing the services directly, please review the attached spreadsheet and contact one of the agencies listed. These are the teams previously involved with the DSHS Rapid Response program.

Thank you for your continued commitment to resident health and safety. If you have any questions, please contact RCSPolicy@dshs.wa.gov 

Read full letter here

 

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June 21, 2021