2010 National Direct Support Professional Week
September 12 - 18, 2010

To honor the direct support workforce and the tremendous difference they make each day in the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities, ANCOR, through its National Advocacy Campaign, is proudly sponsoring National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.

U.S. Senate Declares National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week
Resolution highlights service of direct support workforce the week of September 12, 2010

In a show of bipartisan support, and for the third consecutive year, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution designating the week beginning September 12 as “National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.” Sponsored by Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), Senate Resolution 558 recognizes Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) for their commitment to supporting individuals and promoting community-inclusion for individuals with disabilities of all ages. Senator Nelson was joined by Senators Kerry (D-MA), Brownback (R-KS), Dodd (D-CT), Bingaman (D-NM), Johanns (R-NE), Collins (R-ME), Bunning (R-KY), Carper (D-DE), Brown (D-OH) and Udall (D-CO) as co-sponsors of the bill.

The Wall Street Journal: Disabled Face Hard Choices as States Slash Medicaid
ANCOR's Letter to the Editor in Response

Wall Street Journal MAY 20, 2010

By CLARE ANSBERRY

FLORENCE, S.C—Tandem forces of shrinking state budgets and rising health-care costs have collided and struck a small brick ranch house in this rural town, home to Barbara Hickey.

Born with cerebral palsy, Ms. Hickey, now 67 years old, is confined to a motorized wheelchair. She lives alone and relies on certified nurse's assistants to get her in and out of bed, bathed, clothed and fed.

In December, she received a letter from the South Carolina Department of Special Needs and Disabilities, saying her weekly 50 hours of personal-care help was being cut to 28 hours.

Survey Links Low Wages and High Turnover Rates
ANCOR Releases Results of National Direct Support Workforce Wage Study

A clear disparity exists in wages and retention rates between privately-operate and state-operated providers of the Medicaid-funded support services for people with disabilities, according the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), which released the results of a national survey today. The 2009 Direct Support Professionals Wage Study, which was conducted in partnership between ANCOR and the Mosaic Collaborative for Disabilities Public Policy and Practice, also shows the negative effect of these wage and retention gaps on the private provider direct support workforce.

Maria Cordova Named ANCOR 2010 DSP of the Year
Awards program honors those providing community-based support for people with disabilities

Awards program honors those providing community-based support for people with disabilities The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) today honored Maria Cordova of Adelante Development Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico as the 2010 Direct Support Professional of the Year. The Direct Support Professional Recognition Award program was started by ANCOR in 2007 to acknowledge the commitment and courage of the direct support professionals (DSP) who work to ensure community inclusion and full participation for hundreds of thousands of Americans with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities. Cordova was named the national winner among 231 nominations submitted for the competition. Forty additional DSPs received awards as best of the best in their respective states and the District of Columbia.

Despite an unstable economy and record high unemployment, particularly for those with disabilities, Ms. Cordova garnered an incredible 115 jobs for Adelante’s persons served. An effective advocate, Maria established positive relationships with 57 new employers and single-handedly coordinated a job fair. Realizing the need for job candidates to look the part, she created the Clothing Closet and acquired donations of professional attire for client job interviews.

2010 National Advocacy Campaign Annual Report
Shaping Our Future

We are once again pleased to present the NAC Annual Report for 2010, which mirrors the theme ofANCOR’s 40th Anniversary, “Celebrating the Past ~ Shaping the Future”. This report contains a timeline highlighting the significant milestones the NAC has achieved since its inception in 2001.

ANCOR Named to 2010 Associations Advance America Honor Roll
ANCOR members recognized for improving the quality of life in communities across America through the power of association

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) has been named to the 2010 Associations Advance America Honor Roll, a national awards competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Center for Association Leaders of Washington, DC.

ANCOR Announces Winner of 2009 DSP Capital Challenge
YAI Recognized as ANCOR Advocacy Award Winner

Today ANCOR announced YAI National Institute for People with Disabilities as the winner of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) Capital Challenge and recipient of its annual ANCOR Advocacy Award.