June 29, 2015
Province Announces Wage Enhancement Fund Available July 1 for Employees of Agencies Serving Adults With Intellectual Disabilities
– – –Eligible Agencies Can Raise Starting Wages for Workers: Minister Irvin-Ross
Wages for support workers at eligible agencies that offer valuable residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities will rise July 1 with the help of a special fund established by the Manitoba government to enhance these incomes, Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.
“We have committed $6 million over three years so that agencies offering residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities can increase wages for their workers,” Minister Irvin-Ross said. “This funding will help agencies meet the challenge of attracting and retaining employees who do important work with adults who have complex needs.”
Beginning July 1, agencies that offer community living disability services can apply to the Wage Enhancement Fund (WEF) for additional funding to increase the starting wage of direct service workers (DSWs) working in residential care facilities to $13 per hour up from the current starting wage of $12.50 per hour. Only agencies that currently have starting wages of less than $13 per hour are eligible to receive the WEF funding.
The minister said funding will flow shortly after each agency’s application is received and will be paid retroactively to July 1. Eligible agencies will be able to apply for another funding increaseJan. 1, 2016, so they can raise starting wages to $13.75 per hour and residential house manager’s wages will be raised to $15.13 per hour, Minister Irvin Ross said.
“The wage enhancement will not only entice new skilled employees to our agency, but is instantly rewarding our hard-working existing employees for their skillful work,” said Quinn Adams-Sneisen, acting executive director, Prairie Places.
Community Living disABILITY Services (CLDS) offers a range of day and residential services aimed at providing adults with a mental disability the opportunity for independence in a community setting to the extent possible for each individual. CLDS supports that are potentially available include residential services, day services and related support services.
A committee comprised of agency, union and government representatives was created to offer guidance in establishing the wage enhancement fund, the minister said. The committee is also helping to develop new standards for training, reviewing agency administrative structures and ensuring the efficient use of funds by agencies.
This wage enhancement fund is similar to one developed for Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care. That fund has been successful in ensuring better wages and training among early childhood educators working at child-care centres across the province, the minister said.
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