Archives: 2008

November/December

National Advocacy Campaign Organizes for 2009 Effort

Washington Transition

Now that the campaign signs have come down, the commercials are off the air and the flurry of political emails and phone calls have stopped, it’s time to focus our attention on a new Administration and Congress. There is a lot of speculation about what an Obama Administration will mean for the nation, and what it could mean for community supports and Medicaid. As Washington transitions, now is the time to make sure issues facing the direct support workforce gain the attention they need.

ANCOR is in the process of meeting with transition officials from the National Advocacy Campaign Organizes for 2009 Effort new Administration and seeking opportunities to participate in policy discussions related to issues affecting the objectives and goals of the NAC.

As this article goes to print, we are watching closely the “lame duck” session of Congress as they take up a new economic stimulus package. ANCOR is also preparing to welcome new members of the 111th Congress, and connect with our congressional champions that were re-elected to seek support and determine the best path to follow related to workforce wage and training legislation.

Though we as a nation currently face significant challenges both abroad and right here at home, these are exciting times in Washington… and “change” is coming. We congratulate President-elect Obama and members of the new Congress, and look forward to a productive year ahead.

Online Advocacy

If we learned anything from the 2008 presidential election it’s that any effective campaign (political or issuebased) must develop and maintain a presence online among communities of interest. In particular, the Obama campaign demonstrated the tremendous influence and organizing power of the Internet, and road-tested many of the tools and resources available online to bring people together, channel their message and drive action.

With that in mind, the NAC is growing the network of support we have built over time by organizing online. Our goal is to increase and expand ongoing grassroots efforts of the NAC by plugging in to social networks and establishing advocacy profiles. Recently, ANCOR created a Group on the social networking website Facebook. If you are already a Facebook member, please look us up and join the cause. If you aren’t on Facebook yet, what are you waiting for? It only takes a few minutes to create a profile and start networking.

This is just the first step of many to touch a broader audience and grow our network of support online. The use of these types of tools can speed information dispersal and expand our network of grassroots partners. Look for us to grow online as we reach out to communities using social networks as organizing and communications tools.

Get Involved!

Make a difference and evoke change to address the growing direct support workforce crisis. Here are four things you can do today… Sign up to receive updates from the NAC. Invite 5 friends to join the NAC. Contact your congressional representative and show your support for DSPs. Join the “You Need To Know Me” group on Facebook.

October

A Historic First: National Direct Support Professionals Week Kicked Off in D.C.

IInspired and encouraged by ANCOR, the U.S. Senate declared the week beginning September 8 as the National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week (S. Res. 613), a historic first. The ANCOR board passed a companion resolution kicking off a historic week generating an unprecedented number of special events and media coverage nationwide.

During a visit to Capitol Hill: Polly Peach, OHI DSP; Victoria Labelle, OHI Executive Assistant; Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME); Tess Collins, OHI DSP; Nicole Beyenberg, OHI DSP; and Terry Daly, OHI Team Coordinator.

Thanks to members who wrote to tell us of their DSP week celebrations. Whether the celebrations were internal events designed to show appreciation for DSPs, or larger efforts to inform the public of the wonderful work DSPs do, all found creative ways to enjoy the spirit of the week.

In Washington, DC, the National Direct Support Professionals A Historic First: National Direct Support Professionals Week Kicked Off in D.C. Recognition Week became a staging ground to garner more co-sponsors for the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act (HR 1279). Several hundred DSPs and their supporters gathered, not only to prepare for constituent visits to Congressional offices, but to also celebrate this extra special week. Dressed in ponchos and huddled beneath umbrellas, the spirited crowd weathered rains sent by Hurricane Hannah and gave rapt attention to Congressional speakers, a selfadvocate, a parent advocate and one of their own, a DSP, who spoke about the need for everyone to become advocates for DSPs.

“I feel honored to be one of the eight DSPs chosen to come to Washington. I learned about this from a memo that said we were getting a raise and that it was possible from advocacy the prior year. It’s not everyday you get asked to do something different like this. You should never pass up the opportunity to grow.” Lynn Cruz, Assistant Psychologist, YAI/NIPD’s Woodycrest Residence
New Avenues DSPs and board members talk with Beth Thames, Deputy State Director from the office of Sen. Sherrod Brown, (D-OH).	DSPs enjoy a spaghetti dinner hosted by the New Avenues Administrative Team.
Direct Support Professional shows off her gift from New Avenues. All DSPs received a gift of clothing during DSP Week.	Assistant Director, Robin Zepht, prepares dinner for Direct Support Professionals and clients at a Cuyhoga County Supported Living home.

As part of the effort to raise awareness and seek additional support for H.R. 1279, DSPs who came to DC during the Government Activities Seminar took part in a massive grassroots advocacy and outreach initiative. To start the ball rolling, all the DSPs joined Rich Carman (Mosaic) and Barnaby Harkins (McGuireWoods Consulting) for training on how to reach Members of Congress with the H.R. 1279 message.

“I’m the voice for our employees as a mentor for my organization. In order for me to teach the DSPs, I needed to network with other DSPs and see how they are doing their work. I think this initiative is important because if DSPs can make more money; then they will stay longer. It takes a strong person to stay in this job at this wage; you have to have the heart for it.”

Emma Landry, Mentor, Alternative Community Training

Carmen and Harkins provided DSP’s with an insiders look at how to get the attention of Congress. In a fun two hours that included quizzes, prizes and some first hand stories of working with Congress, the DSPs were ready to take the message to their members of Congress!

Before heading to the Hill, DSPs and agency executives attending the Government Activities Seminar gathered to celebrate DSP excellence. The winners of the DSP of the Year awards, announced in April, received additional recognition and a check from Therap, Inc., the award sponsor. ANCOR and Therap also announced the winners of the DSPTV Awards. They are:

• Ben Leadbetter – Grand Prize
• Sean Delaney – Music & Comedy
• Greg Devorce – Self Advocate National Advocacy
• Chad Ek – Reality
• Eugene Miller – Healthy Living
• Andrea McMurray – Honorable Mention

To the Hill! Don’t forget your umbrella!

The more than two hundred DSPs and providers who gathered near the nation’s Capitol on September 9th pro-vided a bright spot in a stormy Washington day. Armed with their advocacy training, rain gear, maps to Congressional offices, and H.R. 1279 materials, it was time to take the message to Congress. Through a driving rain and high winds, DSP’s marched to the Capitol Building to ask Congress to increase DSP wages and improve the quality of supports for people with disabilities.

"My job is so unique: I'm a teacher, a sex educator, a nurse, a financial consultant. We’re important in so many ways. They don't depend on us because we're working so hard to get them to be independent – we're the support. But they couldn't do this without us, so we need to advocate for better wages. We want to continue doing what we love."

Tony Stein, Healthcare Specialist, YAI/NIPD’s Williston Park Residence

The goal for the week was to reach as many Members of Congress as we could; asking Members who were not co-sponsors to co-sponsor, and prompting long- time supporters to help us secure a hearing in the House. These are the two most important elements for advancing our legislation, and ANCOR is happy to report that the great work done during that week has already begun to pay dividends!

In the very short time since DSP to DC week, we have already added seven new co-sponsors in the House! They are:

• Rep Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX]
• Rep Foster, Bill [D-IL]
• Rep Kind, Ron [D-WI]
• Rep McGovern, James P. [D-MA]
• Rep Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ]
• Rep Snyder, Vic [D-AR]
• Rep Stark, Fortney [D-CA]

We expect many more to come on-board before the year is out.

If you were unable to get to DC, log onto www.younneedtoknowme.org and find out what you can do to promote H.R. 1279!

Thank you to everyone who participated!

The Walk to the Hill
A Clear Message to Congress
Delivering the Message
	(l-r) Fred Romkema, Director of Northern Hills Training Center, Spearfish, SD; DSP Barry Gates, Blaks Hills Workshop; Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, (D-SD); DSP MacKenzie Umberger, NHTC; Brad Saathoff, Director of Black Hills Workshop, Rapid City, SD, Bessa Carlson, Director of Community Connections in Winner, SD.
(Below: l-r) From Havre Day Activity Center: Dale Boespflug, CEO, Haley Pierson, DSP, with Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), and from Mission Mountain Enterprises Brodie Moll, CEO and Raleen Parnell, DSP.
		(Left) H.R. 1279 Sponsor Rep. Lois Capps, center, with DSPs Lisa McCardell (l) and Barb Jackson (r) of Faith, Hope and Charity, Storm Lake, IA outside Longworth House Office Building

DSPs to DC Rally

Rally-goers were moved by the passionate words of encouragement and support from Congressional speakers and HR 1279 originators Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE); self-advocate Carl Gregory Evertett (St. Johns, Washington, DC); parent advocate Billie McMiller, (Mosaic, Texas); and, DSP Andrea McMurray (Cottonwood, Inc., Kansas) who talked about the need for everyone to become advocates for DSPs.

The following is the text of Andrea McMurray’s eloquent message.

“Good afternoon everybody – nice weather! My name is Andrea McMurray and I am from Lawrence, Kansas. I have been a DSP at Cottonwood, Inc for 15 years. Since becoming involved in ANCOR's campaign for support of HR 1279, I have learned how little I really know about how government works! But even more surprising to me was finding out how little the government and the general public know about how I work, and what I do.

"It started as a summer job, but my love for the guys grew. I'm here to talk about a higher wage. They don't have to listen to us, but they're willing to hear us out so I'm here to help."

Dulls Mengual, AM DSP, YAI/NIPD’s Tiffany Place Residence

When someone says they are a veterinarian or an accountant, it is fairly clear what it is they do. But tell someone you are a DSP and they don't have a clue. They might equate the job with meeting someone’s basic needs like feeding and showering, but that is such a SMALL part of our job. All of us here know the list of roles we fill at our job is endless. I don't mean the list is long, it is literally endless.

AND it is around the clock. We are grocery shoppers and nutrition advisers, financial planners and check signers, property managers and housekeep- Rally Emcee Rich Carmen, Mosaic, and Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE). Renee Pietrangelo, ANCOR CEO. Rep. .Lois Capps (D-CA). Self-Advocate Carl Gregory Everett, St. John’s. ers. We are listeners and interpreters, cooks and chauffeurs, grief counselors and cheerleaders, healthcare aids and medication administrators. We are hair stylists and beard trimmers, referees and mediators, team members and role models, secretaries and personal assistants, psychologists and life coaches, pet care aids and fixers of electronics.... like I said, ENDLESS! If you think about it, any one of those jobs taken individually pays more than DSP positions, and we do all of them – sometimes all at once! We are the ones who answer the 3 a.m. call!

I want our Congress and the public in general to know what we do. I want them to know I am not an adult babysitter. I want to consider this my career, but how can I? How can any of us when our wages are classified even by government standards as below poverty level? I want this to be my career and not just one of my four jobs.

The high turnover rate is understandable. We all know that this costs a lot to our agencies in money, but that is not our department. We see what it costs in lives. It can be devastating. It is painful. It triggers depression. It is degrading. People withdraw and stop trusting anyone. They become defined by their disability and not by their abilities. We also see what consistency can do. No matter what level of care a person needs, when they can depend on a staff to be there, who appreciates their individuality, a staff who knows their needs and treats them with dignity, someone who is vested in them- it is amazing what a person can accomplish. Staff consistency builds trust, security, and self worth- a winning combination for anyone.

Now, I know everyone here does a great job advocating for the folks they serve. Well, today I am asking you to be SELF advocates. Teach people, teach Congress what we do and what we sacrifice to do it. When you go home, talk to parents and guardians. Tell them how little we get paid- most of them have no idea, and when they find out I know they will want to help. They will e-mail and call their representatives and senators and come to rallies. When you visit your legislators tell them your personal stories. Ask them to co-sponsor HR 1279 and tell them why it is important to you. Ask them to hold a hearing. Let them know that providing money to give DSPs better wages is money well spent and its impact will be on many levels. Not only will it show a greater respect for what we do, but ultimately show a higher respect for the people we serve and that their quality of life IS important. We don't want this wage increase to buy more stuff- we want it so we can afford to stay at our jobs. Tell them you vote and the people we serve vote. It WILL matter. Good staff will be able to stay and the people served will have an environment conducive to reaching their true potentialand EVERYONE benefits from that!

When we listen to our elected officials, especially in an election year, they are often talking about commitment, helping others, and improving livesask them to turn that talk into action- LIKE WE DO EVERYDAY, put their money where their mouth is and support HR 1279!”

DSP TV Award & State DSP of the Year Winners

September

U.S. Senate Declares National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week

During a visit with Senator Brown (D-OH), Champaign Residential Services Inc. asks for co-sponsorship of Senate Resolution 613 designating National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. Left to Right: Kathy Rader, CRSI consumer advocacy director; Urbana Mayor Ruth Zerkle; Urbana Councilman Marty Hess; John Hannah, CRSI consumer advocate; Terri Thompson, CRSI promotional coordinator; Urbana Councilman Bill Bean; and Senator Brown.

In a show of bipartisan support, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 613, designating the week of September 8th as “National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.” Sponsored by Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), the resolution recognizes the invaluable supports Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide and the difference this workforce makes in the lives of Americans with disabilities.

“Millions of Americans receive direct supports from DSPs every day,” said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. These are the people working as direct care workers, in-home support workers, personal assistants and attendants. Without the work of DSPs, the lives of millions of individuals and countless families would be disrupted.

“The DSP workforce is often overlooked,” stated Peter Kowalski, executive director of John F. Murphy Homes in Auburn, Maine and president of ANCOR. “People with disabilities are able to live more independently because of the work done by DSPs.”

The recognition of DSPs by the Senate is significant victory in the fight by ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign (NAC) to improve DSP wages and enhance the quality of services individuals receive.

As part of the NAC, ANCOR worked with Senator Nelson and key ANCOR members on the resolution to coincide with the annual Governmental Activities Seminar and the DSPs to DC event taking place September 7-9 in Washington, D.C.

National Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Recognition Week recognizes the invaluable supports of DSPs, such as Saundra McKnight (pictured on the right) of Intervals and ANCOR’s DSP of the Year for the State of Maryland, in the lives of Americans with disabilities.

“The resolution is a tremendous achievement and will be a terrific way to honor dedicated DSPs around the country, many of whom will join us in Washington for the Seminar and DSPs to DC events,” said Pietrangelo. The resolution received considerable attention and support in the Senate and gained 10 co-sponsors including, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).

For information about Senate Resolution 613 and a list of ANCOR members who rose to the challenge of enlisting their senators as original co-sponsors of the resolution, visit the ANCOR website at http://www.ancor.org/issues/shortage/index.html. To find out more information about the NAC, go to http://www.youneedtoknowme.org.

DSP-TV Online Video Contest Winners Announced

And the Oscar goes to...six very talented Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who submitted compelling and creative entries for the DSP-TV Online Video Contest sponsored by ANCOR in partnership with Therap Services LLC.

A part of ANCOR's National Advocacy Campaign (NAC), the DSPTV Online Video Contest was created to give DSPs, families and consumers a platform to educate the public about the critical role they play in the lives of people with disabilities. Contest participants were encouraged to tell in their own words why the DSP workforce is so important, why DSPs are DSP-TV Online Video Contest Winners Announced National Advocacy deserving of additional compensation and how DSPs are making a difference.

“This is truly reality TV,” said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. "DSP-TV Online is a great way to showcase the many talents of America's DSPs and draw attention to the growing workforce wage crisis.”

Six winners were selected from more than 30 video entries. “Each winning video differed in creativity and style,” said contest initiator Richard Robbins, chairman and CEO of Therap Services LLC. “Yet, all carried the unquestionable message that DSPs are indispensable in our communities and the supports they provide make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities everyday.”

The contest was broken into five categories to encourage compelling videos that cast a spotlight on who DSPs are, what they do and why their work is important. The contest’s grand prize winner, Ben Leadbetter for his video titled, “We Put the ‘P’ in DSP,” has been awarded $1,000 and paid hotel and airfare to ANCOR’s September DSPs to DC event (see page 10 for details).The top winner in each category has been awarded $500.

The winning videos can be accessed through ANCOR's NAC website at www.youneedtoknowme.org.

Category: Grand Prize
Title: “We Put the 'P' in DSP”
By: Ben Leadbetter
Agency: RHD-RI Pawtucket, RI

Category: Healthy Living
Title: “Eugene”
By: Eugene Miller
Agency: Teri, Inc. Oceanside, CA

Category: Self Advocate
Title: “Maroon and Gold”
By: Greg Devorce
Agency: AZ Foundation for the Handicapped Phoenix, AZ

Category: Music & Comedy
Title: “Open Your Eyes”
By: Sean Delaney
Agency: Special Needs Programs Ghent, NY

Category: Reality
Title: “Hear Us Out”
By: Chad Ek
Agency: REM ND Grafton, ND

Category: Honorable Mention
Title: “Thank You”
By: Andrea McMurray
Agency: Cottonwood Inc. Lawrence, KS

DSPs To DC 2007 – A Year in Review

By Bonnie-Jean Brooks, CEO, OHI

In March 2007, during the ANCOR Management Practices Conference and Trade Show, ANCOR began to highlight the first-ever DSPs to DC event. It was announced that the event would be held in the Fall of 2007 during the Governmental Activities Seminar in Washington, D.C. and a sign-up sheet was made available to interested participants. Being a former ANCOR president and role model, I remember my excitement as I rushed to the front of the room and was the first to sign-up my agency and pledged to bring five Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to this momentous event.

At that moment, I realized that I didn’t have the faintest notion about how my agency could afford to attend the event, as well as face a variety of other challenges that might thwart my efforts to help showcase DSPs in D.C. But, what I was sure of was that I am profoundly hell-bent on promoting the DSP workforce every chance that I can get. These professionals are the wind beneath the wings of our organization and its mission. And because at OHI our agency philosophy is “Everything is Possible,” I knew we would find a way to overcome whatever challenges may come in our path. Without looking back, we made plans that it would be “DSPs and Emerging Leaders to D.C. or Bust!!!”

We stuck to our goal and on September 7, 2007, 12 women headed for Washington. During our road trip, we talked the entire way – planning rest stops, food breaks, fighting over directions and even handling a serious accident that occurred with one of our staff members and a volunteer back home. The shortcut through New York City over the George Washington Memorial Bridge nearly proved to be our undoing. It took us 7 hours to crawl 5 miles on a Friday at rush hour!! DSPs To DC 2007 – A Year in Review We met new friends in stalled traffic and sang to them. We held up signs we quickly made for impolite drivers and others we considered unprofessional while at the same time one OHI van would block traffic so the other van could cut in. Twenty hours later we pulled into D.C. Twelve very best friends in such a state of laughter and hysteria that we couldn’t even roll out of the vans. The rest is history!!

Tess Collins attended her first ANCOR Board of Representatives meeting with us as her fan section when her name was called. After all, she is the very first DSP to ever sit on an ANCOR board! On the day of the march to Capitol Hill and the rally, imagine how proud we were when our own Tess was on the podium speaking as one of the dignitaries right on the lawn of the Capitol!! Imagine how we felt when Jen Adams, another one of our DSPs, told Maine’s Congressman Michaud in eloquent terms what it means to love the work she does but that she has to have two jobs to make ends meet and that she is on certain welfare programs! Tears flowed on Capitol Hill.

What a year’s journey since that time! Jen was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (and a DSP) and subsequently elected its secretary and one of two representatives to ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign. She has also started a Maine Chapter of NADSP and spoke at the Annual Conference of DSPs sponsored by the state.

Tess has gone back to school to become a psychologist while continuing to work fulltime as a DSP. Jessica Hayes was elected vice president of the Maine Association of Group Care Providers and was recently nominated as president. DSP, Linda Docekal, was promoted to a management position and is seen as an emerging leader. Emerging leader, Melissa Darby, who originally started as a DSP, was promoted from a midlevel manager to a team coordinator and is seen as a rising star. Twila was promoted into a newly created position of employee benefits and wellness coordinator/ development manager.

While all of these team members have been on a journey of professional development, there is no question that the ANCOR experience last fall was the spark that ignited a fire within each of these people! The impact that this event has had on twelve people as individuals and on our entire organizational culture is truly amazing!! This is witnessed by the fact that there has been an overwhelming interest at all levels of OHI in making the journey to Washington this year.

OHI invested in workforce and leadership development in a time when money is scarce. The investment has paid off in immeasurable ways. We believe that, in the end, we have gained far more than we spent. We encourage all ANCOR members to consider investing in the future of their organizations and their valued team members. They will be the legacy of the today’s top leaders.

July/August

New Employees Equal New Advocates for the NAC

Involvement in ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign (NAC) begins on day one at Danville Services of Nevada LLC. New employees are asked to sign on in support of the NAC during their employee orientation.

“We want them to understand that they are the best advocates for increasing wages,” said Rebecca Scott, human resources director for Danville Services’ Las Vegas operations. “We emphasize the importance of each individual to the larger campaign.” No employee has ever declined to sign on.

“I think it is important to let new employees know about the NAC,” said Scott. “It lets them know they need to be advocates for themselves and the people they serve. It also lets them understand that they are part of something that is going on nationwide.”

According to Jeff Britt, ANCOR’s NAC grassroots advisor, introducing employees to the NAC their first day on the job is an excellent way to increase the grassroots level of awareness about the campaign and the issue of increasing wages for direct support professionals (DSP). “The earlier you can draw people into activism the better. Disability issues have always relied on grassroots activism to make progress.”

Britt adds, “In fact, the movement of people from state-run institutions to community-based settings would not have taken place without the strength and influence of organized grassroots supporters over the past few decades.”

Danville Services of Nevada LLC is just one example of how agencies are getting involved in promoting the NAC. If you have an innovative or unique approach to getting your DSPs involved in the NAC, please let us know! E-mail your efforts to Jeff Britt at jbritt@mwcllc.com.

Calling All DSPs — Rally in Washington This September!

It goes without saying that direct support professionals (DSPs) are the foundation of the community-based supports system. It also goes without saying that low Medicaid reimbursement rates make it very difficult for private providers to maintain a full, high-quality direct support staff. This September, as part of the annual Governmental Activities Seminar, ANCOR is once again offering its members a unique opportunity to showcase their DSPs and raise awareness in Washington, D.C. about the challenges facing the direct support workforce via the DSPs to DC event!

The 2007 DSP to DC rally was a tremendous success, generating attention and considerable momentum in support of H.R. 1279. With your participation, we hope to build on that success this year!

ANCOR is working hard to give America’s direct support workforce a voice – and no one can communicate the challenges facing this essential workforce better than DSPs themselves. This event is critical to raising the visibility of the workforce crisis and workforce legislation on Capitol Hill. DSPs cannot afford to miss—providers cannot afford to leave their DSPs at home. DSPs are invited to attend this special event at no charge, as long as they are accompanied by a paid Governmental Activities Seminar registrant.

Please join us for ANCOR’s Governmental Activities Seminar, September 7-9, 2008, at the Washington Court Hotel. To register, go to http://www.ancor.org/cet/index.html.

Participants at the 2007 DSPs to DC event

May

NAC Central: H.R. 1279 Gets Additional Support From New Co-Sponsors

Since the beginning of 2008, ANCOR has led efforts to recruit additional co-sponsors for H.R. 1279 – the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act – initiated by ANCOR. We are proud to report that 121 members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors of this landmark workforce legislation!

The NAC legislative team has laid out aggressive plans for the rest of the year, including:

• Growing the number of co-sponsors to 150.
• Securing a congressional hearing on the greater workforce issue.
• Developing a long-term strategy to identify and confirm a bill sponsor in the Senate.

These ambitious goals are attainable only with the continued dedication and diligence of ANCOR’s diverse members, strategic partners—and advocates like you!

There is no doubt that most attention is focused on federal elections this year. This situation makes it even more critical for us to speak out and speak up, advocating for the need to provide direct support professionals with the pay they deserve. It is increasingly important that we maintain constituent contact with members of Congress regarding this important legislation.

If you haven’t already done so—or if it has been a while since you last did— please take the opportunity to personally write, call or visit your Congressional representative and urge his or her support of H.R. 1279. Let your voice be heard by using ANCOR’s online Action Alert feature at http://capwiz.com/ancor/issues/alert/?alertid=10887631 to contact your representative today!

Last Call — Deadline for DSP TV Entries is Sunday, June 1!

DSP TV Online is an exciting online forum for direct support professionals and workforce advocates to tell their compelling stories and spark action regarding the workforce wage issue— and you have the opportunity to win one of several prizes in the process!

The deadline for entries is fast approaching! All videos must be posted to the DSP TV site no later than Sunday, June 1, to ensure your eligibility for one of five $500 cash prizes or a grand prize of $1,000 and hotel and airfare to our nation’s capitol for the September DSP to DC event!

Just grab your video camera and shine a light on the work of direct support workers and the immeasurable value they bring to the lives of people with disabilities. Don’t worry about production quality or script, just face the camera and tell your story!

Entering this web-based video contest is quick and easy. To learn how, or to view contest rules and regulations, please visit http://www.youneedtoknowme.org/contest/index.php.

April

NAC Central: Co-Sponsors for H.R. 1279 Increases to 121!

Since the beginning of 2008, the National Advocacy Campaign (NAC) has stepped up its efforts to recruit additional cosponsors for H.R. 1279 – the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act – initiated by ANCOR. To date, the grand total of co-sponsors for the bill has shot to 121!

In addition to informing legislators about the bill, the NAC used ANCOR’s Management Practices Conference and Trade Show as an opportunity to communicate to the ANCOR community the importance of their support for H.R. 1279. During the conference, it was announced that the NAC legislative team is seeking to increase the number of co-sponsors of H.R. 1279 to 150; secure a congressional hearing this year on the greater workforce issue; and develop a lasting strategy to identify and confirm a bill sponsor in the Senate. Although ambitious, the NAC firmly believes that with the support of ANCOR members, strategic partners and advocates, we have the shared resources available to achieve these important goals.

With attention focused on federal elections this year, it is critical that we maintain constituent contact with members of Congress regarding H.R. 1279. Already, there have been several Action Alerts posted on ANCOR's website. Please use these Action Alerts as your opportunity to personally write, call or visit your congressional representative and urge their support of H.R. 1279. To find out more about the Action Alerts, visit http://capwiz.com/ancor/issues/alert/?alertid=10887631.

Last Call for DSP TV Entries — Deadline is June 1!

DSP TV Online provides an inviting forum for DSPs, people with disabili- NAC Central: Let Congress Know You Support H.R. 1279 ties, families, supporters of people with disabilities and the direct support workforce to share their stories and compel action. And, who knows, you may win one of several prizes in the process!

The deadline for entries is fast approaching! All videos must be posted to the DSP TV site no later than June 1, 2008. One winner from each category will receive $500 and an overall winner will receive $1,000 and paid hotel and airfare to the September 2008 DSPs to DC event!

Be bold, be creative and be heard! Grab your video camera and shine a light on the work of DSPs and the immeasurable value they bring to the lives of people with disabilities. Don’t worry about production quality or an Academy Award-winning script, just face the camera and tell your story!

Entering this web-based video contest is quick and easy. To learn how, visit http://www.youneedtoknowme.org/contest/index.php. To find out about contest rules and regulations, please visit http://www.youneedtoknowme.org/contest/rules.php.

March

NAC Central: Let Congress Know Your Support for H.R. 1279

Since the first of the year, the National Advocacy Campaign (NAC) has renewed its efforts to recruit additional co-sponsors for ANCORinitiated legislation H.R. 1279— the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act. As this issue of LINKS went to print, we currently have a record number of 116 co-sponsors for H.R. 1279, including Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA), the bill’s original sponsor. To maximize the recent attention received by H.R. 1279 and ride the swell of momentum that started with the DSPs to D.C. event last fall, we are targeting key members of the U.S. Committee on Energy and Commerce and developing a strategy to identify and confirm a bill sponsor in the Senate.

With attention focused on federal elections this year, it’s critical that we maintain constituent contact with members of Congress regarding H.R. 1279. Now is the time to act! Let’s use this opportunity to focus attention on the workforce issue and advocate the need to provide our direct support professionals with resources they deserve. Please join us and personally write, call or visit your congressional representative and urge their support of H.R. 1279. Let your voice be heard!

DSP TV: Contest Deadline Extended— Greater Opportunity to Win Prizes!

DSP TV Online provides an inviting forum for DSPs, people with disabilities, families, supporters of people with disabilities and the direct support workforce to share their stories and compel action. And who knows, you may win one of several prizes in the process!

The deadline for entries is June 1, 2008. We have limited the number of categories to two and sweetened the prizes! One winner from each category will receive $500, and an overall winner will receive $1,000 and paid hotel and airfare to the September 2008 DSPs to DC event!

Be bold, be creative and be heard! Grab your video camera and shine a light on the work of DSPs and the immeasurable value they bring to the lives of people with disabilities.

Entering this web-based video contest is quick and easy. Click here to learn how, or visit us on the web at http://www.youneedtoknowme.org/contest/index.php.

Certain contest rules and conditions apply.

February

NAC Central: ANCOR’s H.R. 1279 Gets Boost in House Hearing

On January 16, 2008, at its first meeting of the New Year, the US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health examined Medicaid coverage for people with disabilities. Testimony concentrated on the role of Medicaid in helping Americans with disabilities have better access to community care and the supports they need.

Comments offered by committee leadership signaled support toward the intent of ANCOR-initiated legislation H.R. 1279 (The Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act), with emphasis on the need to provide access to services in the community.

“One of the challenges we face is how to improve access to community services instead of making nursing homes and institutions the first options for care,” said Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. “We know that those who receive community- based services have an improved quality of life and are better able to be near family and friends.”

Testimony was offered by several witnesses, including Ralph Gronefeld, President and CEO of ResCare, an ANCOR member agency. Along with requesting the Committee members support H.R. 1279, Gronefeld stated, “High turnover rates, low wages, shortage of available workers and increased demand are pervasive problems for families, individuals receiving services and the people who provide those services.” Click here to read panel testimony.

“This is a tremendous moral victory,” said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. “Members of the Committee are discussing our bill, H.R. 1279, in the context of the critical role Medicaid plays in the lives of Americans with disabilities. This is a result of the grassroots support our providers, direct support professionals (DSPs) and families have shown on the workforce wage issue.”

While we are very grateful for the attention H.R. 1279 received during the hearing, we remain committed to securing a congressional hearing on the greater workforce issue this year.

Call on Congress

ANCOR continues with its work to add co-sponsors to H.R. 1279 and educate members of Congress on the issues at stake. However, this work is futile if lawmakers don’t hear from their constituents.

Our greatest asset is the coalition of DSPs, providers and families who understand the daily challenges the workforce faces. Let your voice be heard! Contact your congressional representative TODAY to share you story and urge support for H.R. 1279.

Now is the time to act! We have a tremendous opportunity with this Congress to focus attention on the workforce issue and advocate the need to provide our DSPs with resources they deserve.

Be Bold. Be Creative. Be Heard!

DSP TV Online provides a fun and effective medium for telling the workforce story that will educate and inspire a broad audience… and you could win a prize in the process!

Entering this Web-based video contest is simple. Just shoot a brief clip on your video camera, camera phone or Web cam and upload it to www.YouNeedToKnowMe.org. (To help, Therap Services, LLC, has developed a tutorial to guide users through the process.)

DSP TV Online is open to DSPs, people with disabilities, families, supporters of people with disabilities and the direct support workforce. The contest is broken into categories that offer ideas about how to create videos that cast a spotlight on who DSPs are, what they do and why their work is important. The goal of this contest is to provide an educational resource to assist in our advocacy efforts – all you need to do is tell your story, as only you can.

Be bold. Be creative. Be heard… and be entered to win one of several prizes!

Click here to learn more. Certain contest rules and conditions apply.

January

McGuireWoods Provides Support to NAC

McGuireWoods Consulting (MWC) came on board in December to provide federal government relations and grassroots services for the National Advocacy Campaign. The MWC team consists of Jeff Stauter, Barnaby Harkins and Jeff Britt, all of whom bring considerable knowledge and experience to the NAC effort.

Mr. Stauter will provide daily oversight of services and carries with him considerable knowledge of our industry, serving previously as legislative liaison to the Illinois Department of Human Services and for eight years as the legislative director for the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. Currently, Mr. Stauter and his family are active in the Springfield ARC, Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society, and he is the secretary/treasurer of the Charleston Transitional Facility board, a community residential and employment program provider.

Mr. Harkins will provide federal government relations services for NAC, assisting with legislative targeting, outreach and member advocacy, which is particularly important as we look to increase the co-sponsor benchmark for HR 1279 and make headway in the Senate. Prior to joining MWC as a lobbyist, Harkins served four years as legislative aide to Rep. Tom Davis (VA-11) with concentration on the appropriations process. 

Mr. Britt will coordinate grassroots issue advocacy services for NAC to include membership mobilization, e-advocacy strategy and implementation, public relations support and assistance with federal grassroots contact by NAC stakeholders. Mr. Britt brings with him considerable experience in grassroots organization and management, having coordinated several political and issue campaigns.

The MWC team offers a unique combination of staff and skills to build upon the accomplishments of the National Advocacy Campaign. 

NAC Central: A Renewed and Refreshed Campaign in 2008

With an eye toward refreshing and refocusing our National Advocacy Workforce Campaign, the NAC Steering Committee participated in an intensive two-day retreat session in early December 2007 to guide our direction and map out strategies for 2008.

Launched in late 2001, the campaign has made great progress over the past six years and has positioned ANCOR as the national leader on the workforce issue. We ended 2007 with a recordnumber one-hundred eight cosponsors of HR 1279 and are still reaping the benefits of our hugely successful DSPs to DC Event and Capitol Hill rally in September. Understanding that 2008 is gearing up to be one of the most politically charged in recent electoral history, the Steering Committee felt the NAC Central: A Renewed and Refreshed Campaign in 2008 National Advocacy imperative to reassess and then carefully hone and implement our strategies moving forward.

The retreat concluded with a new mission statement and refreshed objectives—

The mission of the National Advocacy Campaign moving ahead is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a sustainable direct support workforce.

Our strategic objectives include

• Obtaining adequate public funding to provide competitive wages and benefits for direct support professionals (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.

It’s clear to see we’ve broadened and refocused our commitment and support of the NAC. To that end, ANCOR has contracted with the McGuireWoods Consulting (MWC) firm to continue the successful efforts of Field Goals Consulting, headed by Daryn Demeritt, who has gone on to pursue other career goals.

The MWC team of Jeff Stauter, Barnaby Harkins and Jeff Britt brings considerable knowledge and expertise, depth of experience and multiple resources in the areas of legislative advocacy on Capitol Hill, grassroots mobilization, and public/media relations and communications. Click here for more details on MWC and our impressive team.

Workforce Development

Central to the overall goal of creating a qualified and stable DSP workforce is education and training. We plan to reinvigorate our collaboration with the Department of Labor, Workforce Investment Boards, One Stop Centers and CMS to advance career path development and workforce education and training strategies.

Public Relations, Communications and Awareness

In a recent poll of ANCOR members, the National Advocacy Campaign ranked number one in top-of-mind member awareness. With the NAC firmly branded among the member- NAC, from page 17 ship, the next goal is to broaden our outreach to other stakeholders and redouble our efforts to interest the media in our issues. A top priority is to reach out to DSPs and tap into their energy and motivation to move our objectives forward.

Your Agency’s Action and Support Are Vital!

Our renewed and refocused efforts will be ineffectual without your agency’s engagement. You can set the benchmark for that engagement by signing on today to our DSP TV Online. Tell the world what you do and be a part of this novel, fun and important new program. Developed in partnership with Therap Services and located on the NAC website www.youNeedToKnowMe.org, this contest is designed to educate the public about the valuable role DSPs play in enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.

The contest is open to anyone with the stipulation that the video must be about the DSP workforce. We encourage people served, family members, providers and advocates to submit a video showing why DSPs are so important and how they are making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Visit www.YouNeedto KnowMe.org for an online tutorial; and click here to learn more about the contest.

2009

2008

2007