In a bid to garner support for the Biden/Harris Administration’s budget proposal, the White House convened a briefing on December 12 outlining the success of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments in home and community-based services. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra opened the YouTube stream with remarks praising home and community-based services (HCBS) and the workers toiling in these careers as heroes that allowed his father to age in their California home. Senior Advisor to President Biden, Gene Sperling, offered remarks on states’ ARPA down payment in HCBS, and implored further innovation and investment in workforce and sector stabilization.

Advocates comprised the first panel discussing how investment in wages and retention bonuses enhanced their job satisfaction during the pandemic, while individuals with disabilities stressed the importance of HCBS in allowing their ongoing contribution to society through gainful employment. The second panel included three governors that outlined their states’ investments in HCBS infrastructure and workforce to support, along with innovative respite and caregiver support programs.

The Administration unveiled data on ARPA distribution and how states have used allocated funding to enhance HCBS access and worker investment. Aligning with these objectives, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released guidance to states in an Informational Bulletin to assist in developing worker registries to facilitate connection between workers and those needing caregivers noting that registries also support quality services and worker retention.