The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is proud to announce that the Workplace Sustainability Incentive Program will be back for a fourth year in 2025. The WSIP program is an initiative to help offset the increased costs of staffing shortages and to supplement the marketing of open positions that we are doing through the Lucas DD website.
To request reimbursement, please complete the Workforce Sustainability Incentive Program Reimbursement Form and include the required supporting documentation for the corresponding reimbursement item listed below. Requests will be approved by Lucas DD within two weeks. Checks will be issued from Lucas County. Agency providers can request multiple reimbursements but are limited to one request form per month. Completed applications and/or questions regarding WSIP can be submitted via email to DSPApplicants@lucasdd.org
Who can apply?
Currently all supports under the WSIP program are for DODD Certified Agency Providers
What Are Those Supports?
There are currently 3 programs:
DSP LONGEVITY ADD-ON*: DSPs who are actively employed by a DODD certified DODD waiver agency and meet eligibility for the Add On (must have at least two years full time working in the DD field and have completed 60 hours of CEUs through Direct Course) can apply to be reimbursed for a one-time $900 payment to cover the cost of the employee’s time completing the coursework (this does not apply for adult day/employment service providers).
STUDENT WORK INCENTIVE: DSPs who are employed by a DODD Certified Waiver Agency and are enrolled in an approved College or University and work a minimum of 200 hours per semester (spring or fall) in Lucas County, are eligible to apply for a one-time $1,000 towards their respective college tuition. This paid directly to the institution the following semester.
BACKGROUND CHECK REIMBURSEMENT: DODD Certified Waiver Agencies can apply for reimbursement of Background BCI/FBI check costs for new hires in 2025.
Can Agencies only apply for one program?
Agencies are not limited to apply for just one program. If several situations are applicable to an organization any and all of those that apply can be included in the application.
Only one application per month per DODD Certified Agency Provider will be accepted.
What are the timelines for applications to be submitted and processed?
Applications are taken on a first come first serve basis
Applications should be submitted by the 15th of the following month
Requests will be reviewed for approval within 2 weeks of receipt with supporting documentation.
Checks will be issued from Lucas County.
What supporting documentation is needed to qualify for each program?
Supporting documentation lists for each program’s criteria can be found on the full Workforce Sustainability Incentive Program description document and on the Workforce Sustainability Incentive Program Reimbursement Form.
These documents can be submitted with the completed Reimbursement Form to speed up the review and approval process.
How do I get added as a vendor/How do I know if am already listed as a vendor in Lucas County?
Providers who are not currently in the Lucas County system as a vendor are encouraged to begin the process right away so there is no delay in reimbursement.
Here is the link and instructions to start the vendor creation process on the Lucas County Auditor website: https://www.co.lucas.oh.us/3323/Supplier-Registration
Please see the instructions below to register your business.
Click on finance in red section list
Click on Supplier Registration
Scroll down to Supplier Portal
Complete a current W-9
Complete Master Supplier Form and upload
Scroll down on the page to Link to Register your Business
*this is where you will upload your completed W-9 and the master supplier form [Attach them to the attachments plus sign icon (highlighted)].
It does not appear there is a self-service way of checking the county portal of vendors to verify you are registered.
If you think you are a registered vendor please reach out to us with your information (vendor name, address, contact name and info) for our Buyer to be able to contact the County and verify.
If you have received any payments/reimbursements from the county in the recent past (i.e. for Individual budgets) this likely would indicate you are already set up as a vendor. However, it you haven’t received any payments in a while, it would be a good idea to confirm all of the information is up to date.