Launched in 2001, ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign has taken root and grown into a multi-faceted program seeking public support to obtain the resources to recruit, train and retain a stable, qualified Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce. Its overall objective is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a sustainable direct support workforce.
In 2007, Reps. Lee Terry (R-NE) and Lois Capps (D-CA) re-introduced the Direct Support Fairness and Security Act (H.R. 1279) into the 110th Congress. With this federal legislation pending, ANCOR is once again calling on families, DSPs, providers and friends to use their influence as a constituent and build a grassroots network to garner Congressional sponsors for the bill.
This bill gives states a much-needed option to secure additional federal dollars for the Direct Support Professional workforce. These dollars represent a critical first step towards reducing workforce turnover rates as high as 86% in residential settings while answering the growing demand for supports.
Nationwide, there are approximately 1.4 million individuals who require professional support in order to live and work in their own communities rather than an institution. Unfortunately, there are only about 875,000 direct support workers. Factor in the growing number of baby boomers who will also be requiring assistance; the situation is bleak.
To meet the increasing need for direct support workers, our society must create a livable wage base to mirror the high quality of service and professionalism that we expect. ANCOR is working to make a better living wage a reality for direct support professionals. Everyone can help by voicing their concern to their legislators.
For information on how you can participate, visit Get Involved. To learn more about what’s at stake, visit Background. For more on recent legislative activity, see Legislative News.
Mission and Objectives of the NAC
The mission of the National Advocacy Campaign is to enhance the lives of people with
disabilities by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a sustainable direct
support workforce.
The objectives of the National Advocacy Campaign include:
Obtaining adequate public funding to provide competitive wages and benefits for DSPs.
Securing incentives for training and career development for DSPs.
Creating a national policy to address the workforce shortage and financing issues.
Promoting the value that people with disabilities and the people who support them bring to their communities.
Assuring that private service providers are partners in developing solutions to workforce and funding policy issues.
Advancing and promoting the uses of technology to maximize human resources and assuage workforce demands; and to promulgate the use of assistive technology.
Background
The Community Living Commitment
We've come along way from "it used to be," when the warehousing of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities was painfully routine. Since 1967, our nation has made a commitment to close institutional facilities and provide opportunities for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to enjoy community living.
Today, seasoned professionals and families alike are deeply grateful for the advances of self-determination that many Americans with developmental disabilities enjoy through living and working within their communities.
However, all this is in danger now. There is a real and immediate workforce shortage jeopardizing the quality of life for more than one million Americans with developmental disabilities seeking community integration. At risk are the everyday responsibilities undertaken by the nearly 875,000 Direct Support Professionals (DSP) on behalf of people with disabilities, the elderly, the frail and the infirm.
But, perhaps the greatest risk is the ability to attract dedicated and high quality workers into this very special career -- Direct Support Professionals. By 2020, the number of individuals with intellectual disabilities is anticipated to grow to 1.4 million. , The number of DSPs will need to increase to 1.2 million to address the needs of these individuals.
DSP Services
DSPs offer a wide range of supportive services on a day-to-day basis so that individuals with developmental disabilities can live and work in their communities. Services include: habilitation, health needs, personal care and hygiene, employment, transportation, recreation, housekeeping and other home management-related supports and services. Even though these services are crucial to their well-being, Medicaid funding for people with developmental disabilities is being threatened. Eventually, this will force them back into institutions where they, forfeit their dignity, pride and means of contributing to society.
The Medicaid Dilemma
The Medicaid cutback issue is fraught with deep societal implications.
Many DSPs are compassionate, selfless, heads of households of various races and ethnicities, most of whom work at least two jobs in order to feed their children and pay their rent.
The reduction in Medicaid will not only eliminate services for individuals with disabilities, it will further depress DSP wages, pushing these quiet heroes and their children into poverty and onto America's welfare roles.
The push to reduce Medicaid funding is ludicrous and dangerous for the growing number of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who depend on DSPs services.
Benefits provided for DSPs are roughly 3 1⁄2 times less than that of other workers and less than half of those who work in private nursing homes.
Both the dollar amount and percentage increase in hourly wage rates for private direct support workers are far below that of comparable job categories as well as the national minimum wage.
Medicaid funding needs to be increased in order to grow and retain a stable, quality DSP workforce. Our states must give private providers the opportunity to fairly compensate the DSPs who make such a huge difference in the lives of so many. It is incumbent upon all of us to t address the workforce training, retention and funding issues that are jeopardizing community-based supports and services for these disenfranchised citizens.
Pending Legislation In 2007, Reps. Lee Terry (R-NE) and Lois Capps (D-CA) re-introduced the Direct Support Fairness and Security Act (H.R. 1279) into the 110th Congress. With this federal legislation pending, ANCOR is leading the call or the charge families, DSPs, providers and friends to use their influence as constituents and build a grassroots network to garner additional Congressional support for the bill.
This bill gives states a much-needed option to secure additional federal dollars for the Direct Support Professional workforce. These dollars represent a critical first step towards reducing workforce turnover rates as high as 86% in residential settings while answering the growing demand for more direct support professional.
To meet the increasing need for direct support workers, our society must create a livable wage base to mirror the high quality of service and professionalism that we expect. ANCOR is working to make this a reality for direct support professionals. Everyone can help by making their voice heard voicing their concern to their legislators.
Ken Lovan, chair: ResCare, Inc.
Peter Kowalski: ANCOR president; John F. Murphy Homes, Inc.
Renee Pietrangelo: CEO, ANCOR
Lynn Berman: YAI/NIPD Network
Rich Carman: Mosaic
David Doth: The Mentor Network
Daryn Demeritt: ResCare, Inc.
Suellen Galbraith: ANCOR
Warren Gifford: Therap Services, Inc.
Ann Hardiman: New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies
Matt Keppler: Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
Marty Lampner: The Chimes International, Ltd.
Sarah Magazine: The Mentor Network
Diane McComb: ANCOR state provider association liaison
Kim Opsahl: Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
David Toeniskoetter: Dungarvin, Inc.
Jeremy Schupbach: Alliance Colorado
Jason Umstot: Potomac Center, Inc.
Jim Weeks: Sunrise Community, Inc.
