We fought hard to improve training and professional development opportunities for DORS Personal Assistants, and we won a historic investment from the State of Illinois in our contract that gives our Member Education and Training Center (METC) the capacity to train every single Personal Assistant working in the DORS program!
We’re now offering paid training opportunities that every Personal Assistant (PA) is obligated to attend. These are valuable opportunities to learn on-the-job skills in the company of other home care workers.
The purpose of this paid orientation is to provide new Personal Assistants with essential information about the job and its structure. You must take this training within 3 months of being hired.
Mandatory Annual Training
An agreement between SEIU and the State requires all Incumbent Individual Providers (IP) currently working for a Customer of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services Home Services Program to attend a PAID Mandatory Annual Training class that reviews job requirements must be taken every year within 4 months/120 days from your activation/hire date.
Paid Voluntary Training
In addition to higher wages and healthcare benefits, our union contract provides hands-on, paid training classes statewide that help us improve care for people with disabilities and advance your professional development. You are required to wait 365-days before repeating class. Stipends will only be paid for classes attended after 1 year.
“The METC training classes are incredibly valuable. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the resources they have to offer. METC taught me how to care for people struggling with mental illness, and it’s been a tremendous asset to my relationship with my consumer. Every DORS worker and consumer deserves this level of care and support.” – Jenny Smith, DORS Personal Assistant, Champaign IL
Please be advised that failure to register for one of these classes could result in a temporary suspension!
If you have any questions about the new training requirements for DORS workers, you can contact our Member Resource Center at 866-933-7348.
