RALLY IN D.C.

DSPs Call for End to Workforce Crisis

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More than 400 people from more than 40 states attended a recent rally on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. calling for an end to the workforce crisis that is threatening the quality of life for millions of people with disabilities.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide the critical daily supports people with disabilities need to live and work in their own communities.

Organized by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), the rally urged support for legislation, sponsored by Reps. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.).

The new legislation would amend the Social Security Act to provide funds to states enabling them to increase the wages paid to DSPs who provide services to individuals with disabilities under Medicaid.

This key legislation is the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act (H.R.1279), which would provide states with an option for supplemental Medicaid funding.

The legislation now has 95 bipartisan co-sponsors and supporters are pressing for hearings in the House.

“YAI was proud to participate in the DSP event,” said Thomas Dern, associate executive director of YAI/NIPD. “Our staff members are providing a place of hope and opportunity for thousands of individuals with disabilities every day.”

Nationwide, there are approximately 1.4 million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities 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 serving just this one segment of the disabled population.

“I applaud you because you are the quiet heroes who give integrity and legitimacy to our great human service endeavor,” Renee Pietrangelo, C.E.O. ANCOR, told the DSPs at the rally.