Arkansas Medicaid Allocates $112 Million For HCBS Workforce Stabilization Incentive Program

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), expended $112 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), Section 9817 program, to Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) provider organizations to support workforce retention and recruitment efforts. Provider organizations can use the funds for hiring bonuses, retention bonuses, or bonuses to workers who provide care for consumers with complex conditions.

Full-time, part-time, hourly, and long term contracted employees are eligible for all bonus categories. The size of the maximum payments to direct support professionals (DSPs) varies, as follows:

Hiring bonuses are limited to $1,000 per new hire . . .