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.
“Direct support professionals provide an invaluable service to the millions of Americans living with disabilities. I'm proud to honor these hard-working individuals who give so much to help those in need. Their dedication to service is an example to us all,” said Senator Nelson.
DSPs are the people who work as direct care workers, in-home support workers, personal assistants and attendants to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live more independently and in community settings. However, low wages coupled with difficult work often leads to high turnover of DSPs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that one million new DSPs will be needed by 2016. Of those, 38 percent (388,538) will be for personal and home care aide positions, which is the category where DSP positions are most often included.
“We are proud that the U.S. Senate has bestowed this recognition in honor and observation of the direct support workforce and the tremendous impact they have in communities across the country,” said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR). “The DSP workforce deserves our highest praise and respect for the critical services they provide daily. They are vital the fabric of our communities and the need for the quality supports provided by DSPs continues to grow at an alarming rate.
This acknowledgment by the Senate is significant to the ANCOR National Advocacy Campaign (NAC) as work continues to secure increased funding for DSPs and improve supports and services for people with disabilities. The Resolution passed by the Senate identifies the critical role DSPs perform in assisting individuals with disabilities of all ages to remain connected to their families and communities. “July marks the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides another reason to celebrate the contributions of DSPs,” said Renee Pietrangelo, ANCOR CEO. Today our federal and state policies, in keeping with the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead Decision, assert the right of individuals to live in their homes and communities.
National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is celebrated annually across the country with special events and ceremonies earmarked to honor the tens of thousands of workers who enable our most fragile citizens and their families to live healthy community-oriented lives. “No matter the nomenclature,” says Pietrangelo, “whether they are known as direct support professionals, direct care workers or direct service staff, National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is a significant and very public way to demonstrate gratitude for what direct support professionals unselfishly do for so many.”
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 to the results of a national survey. 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.
The survey results compared wages among DSPs employed by private providers with those who work for state-operated programs. The average 2009 wage for Direct Support Professionals working in private community-based agencies is $10.14/hour compared to $15.53/hour in state operated facilities – a 51% disparity. The net effect of this disparity is a 154.7% higher turnover rate for community DSPs and resulting deleterious emotional and psychic affects on the people with disabilities served.
“The link between low wages and high turnover is marked and the wage disparity among private and public DSPs is unjustified,” said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. “As demand for the Medicaid services provided by DSPs increases, low wages will continue to prevent private-operated providers from attracting and retaining a qualified workforce. People with disabilities receiving support services in their communities need and deserve continuity in their support system.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 1 million new DSPs will be needed by 2016. Of those, 38 percent (388,538) will be for personal and home care aide positions, which is the category where DSP positions are most often included. “Without an increase in funding to support increased wages for DSPs working in the community, this workforce will continue to experience high turnover, which directly impacts the quality of supports and services,” says Kowalski. “Add in the exponentially growing number of aging Americans who will also need support services provided by DSPs, and America is witnessing a healthcare crisis of significant proportion.”
Save the Date – DSP Recognition Week is September 12-18, 2010
In May, the ANCOR Board unanimously adopted a resolution marking the week of September 12 as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. ANCOR has also launched an effort seeking a U.S. Senate Resolution to establish this week concurrently as a national event – and, we are asking all 50 state governors to do the same!
The intent and purpose of Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is to honor DSPs for their commitment and devotion to supporting individuals and building community-inclusion for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities
ANCOR is readying resources to assist members in showcasing the work of DSPs during this recognition week in their own communities. Over the summer, ANCOR members and Public Relations Council will receive template materials, ideas and successes collected from last year’s celebration and some fresh new recommendations to ensure a successful week in 2010.
Stay tuned for more information on DSP Recognition Week activities coming your way this summer!
May 28
The Wall Street Journal: Disabled Face Hard Choices as States Slash Medicaid
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.
Clare Ansberry's "Disabled Face Hard Choices as States Slash Medicaid," (Thursday, May 20, 2010) paints a grim picture of the moral condition of our nation and its treatment of our most fragile citizens.
Community-based service providers nationwide are struggling to maintain quality supports and programs to people with disabilities amid deep budget cuts. Their struggles are compounded further by high turnover due to low wages for Medicaid funded services. Meanwhile, the number of individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in need of residential, in-home and day supports is expected to rise from 1 million to 1.4 million between 2030 and 2040 (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services).
As your story points out, many parents prefer to personally care for their children with disabilities, but the reality is that as parents age, they can no longer care for their adult children. Budget cuts that curtail services will only create an added expense to society, forcing people with disabilities to move into nursing homes and other costly and inappropriate settings.
Direct support workers are the lifeline for thousands of individuals like Barbara Hickey and Brian Phillips. With long wait lists for services, in-home supports are more important than ever.
Federal, state and local leaders have an obligation to find alternative funding sources for the most vulnerable among us.
Renee Pietrangelo
CEO
American Network of Community Options and Resources
www.youneedtoknowme.org
www.ancor.org
Last month during the Management Practice Conference and Trade Show held in New Orleans, ANCOR honored Maria Cordova of Adelante Development Center, Albuquerque, NM as the 2010 Direct Support Professional of the Year. The Direct Support Professional 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.
“There were so many inspiring and deserving nominees that it was difficult to choose the final winners,” said Renee Pietrangelo, ANCOR CEO. “ANCOR takes great pride in recognizing and honoring the remarkable work done by these professionals. We congratulate Maria Cordova and the other 40 for their stand-out achievements.”
ANCOR is pleased to recognize these DSPs for their tremendous work and for the considerable difference they make each day in the lives of people with disabilities, and in the communities they serve. ANCOR will be honoring all of our contest winners in a special issue of LINKS this summer, and plan to present awards to our state winners during the 2010 DSP to DC event taking place in September.
ANCOR salutes the 2010 DSP of the Year class!
ANCOR Release Results of 2009 National DSP Wage Survey
ANCOR recently released the results of its national survey that clearly illustrate the growing need for increased federal funding for low-wage workers who provide supports to people with disabilities. The 2009 Direct Support Professionals Wage Study, which for a second year was conducted in partnership between ANCOR and the Mosaic Collaborative for Disabilities Public Policy and Practice, imparts a sobering view of a national healthcare workforce in crisis.
A key finding of the report shows that nationally the 2009 average wage for Direct Support Professionals working in private community based agencies is $10.14/hour compared to $15.53/hour in state operated facilities. This represents a 51% disparity!
A significant affect of this disparity is a 154.7% higher turnover rate for community DSPs and resulting unquantifiable deleterious emotional and psychic affects on the people served.
“The link between low wages and high turnover is indisputable and the wage disparity among private and public DSPs is unjustified,” said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. “As demand for the Medicaid services provided by DSPs increases, low wages will continue to prevent private-operated providers from attracting and retaining a qualified workforce. People with disabilities receiving services under Medicaid in their communities deserve to enjoy continuity in their support system.”
This report, again, substantiates and strengthens ANCOR’s claims that a stark disparity exists between state and private DSPs, and provides the statistical data necessary to compliment our continued efforts before Congress to increase Medicaid funding to the states for DSP wages, training, and technology.
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.
Wage Disparity: The survey results compared wages among DSPs employed by private providers with those who work for state-operated programs. The average 2009 wage for Direct Support Professionals working in private community-based agencies is $10.14/hour compared to $15.53/hour in state operated facilities – a 51% disparity. The net effect of this disparity is a 154.7% higher turnover rate for community DSPs and resulting deleterious emotional and psychic affects on the people with disabilities served.
“The link between low wages and high turnover is marked and the wage disparity among private and public DSPs is unjustified,” said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. “As demand for the Medicaid services provided by DSPs increases, low wages will continue to prevent private-operated providers from attracting and retaining a qualified workforce. People with disabilities receiving support services in their communities need and deserve continuity in their support system.”
Turnover: This study also tracked the turnover rates for both private-operated and state-operated providers and the gap is significant. The average retention rate for private-operated providers was slightly more than three years (40.3 months) compared to state-operated providers at just over six years (73.5 months). A regression analysis conducted indicates that for every $1 increase in entry wage, turnover is predicted to decrease by 3.61 percent.
Costs of Turnover: “The cost of turnover to private-operated providers is considerable,” said Peter Kowalski, ANCOR president. Using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 25 percent rule of thumb and the 2009 survey average entry wage of $9.37 per hour, the estimated total cost of turnover per DSP position is $4,872. “Money isn’t the only issue,” he added. “Ensuring continuous quality support services to people with disabilities is paramount.”
Poverty Level Wages: The severity of the wage difference is demonstrated by comparing it to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) of $18,310 for a family of three. Over one-third of DSPs working for private-operated providers earned entry wages below the FPL. State-operated providers were able to pay an average of $6,645 per year more in entry wages than private-operated providers. Annualized, the average entry wage for a private provider DSP is $19,498 compared to $26,143 for state providers. The study also found that DSPs from private-operated providers averaged similar wages regardless of their community size or budget size. However, a descriptive comparison of state-operated and private-operated providers shows a 51 percent difference in average wages for DSPs performing the same functions in urban communities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 1 million new DSPs will be needed by 2016. Of those, 38 percent (388,538) will be for personal and home care aide positions, which is the category where DSP positions are most often included. “Without an increase in funding to support increased wages for DSPs working in the community, this workforce will continue to experience high turnover, which directly impacts the quality of supports and services,” says Kowalski. “Add in the exponentially growing number of aging Americans who will also need support services provided by DSPs, and America is witnessing a healthcare crisis of significant proportion.”
Wage Remediation Needed
Legislation introduced in the 111th Congress addresses the workforce wage issue. Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) sponsored H.R. 868, a bill to amend the Social Security Act to provide additional Medicaid funds to assure wage parity with state-employed direct support workers. There is no federal mandate for participation, but states that choose to participate will realize pay parity between private and public direct support professionals.
Survey Methodology
There were 563 total survey responses, including 486 responses from private-operated providers and 77 from state-operated providers. As of 2008, 10 jurisdictions no longer run state-operated institutional facilities of 16 or more people: Alaska, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia. Any data referenced in those states represents state-operated non-institutional services only. Not all states run state-operated services or facilities. Private-operated providers responded from 49 states and the District of Columbia, while 41 states included data from both state-operated and private-operated providers. Most survey respondents reported serving mixed to urban communities and operated with a medium budget size.
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.
ANCOR President Peter Kowalski presented the ANCOR 2010 Direct Support Professional of the Year Award to Ms. Cordova during an awards ceremony at the ANCOR Management Practices Conference in New Orleans, LA. “Unemployment is especially high among those with disabilities, which makes Maria Cordova’s achievement all the more impressive,” noted Kowalski. “She is making an incredibly valuable social and economic contribution to Albuquerque’s community-at-large.” He went on to announce that in recognition of the accomplishments of all of this year’s winners, the National Association of Direct Support Professionals is honoring them with complimentary one-year memberships. Also during the ceremony, Bill Tapp, national director of the College of Direct Support (CDS), praised Ms. Cordova’s exceptional job performance and presented her with a VISA gift card. He made known that CDS would be awarding VISA gift cards to all state winners as well.
“There were so many inspiring and deserving nominees that it was difficult to choose the final winners,” said Renee Pietrangelo, ANCOR CEO. “ANCOR takes great pride in recognizing and honoring the remarkable work done by these professionals. We congratulate Maria Cordova and the other 40 for their stand-out achievements.”
The ANCOR Direct Support Professional Recognition Award is judged on criteria in concert with the overall philosophy of ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign to raise awareness and compensation for the direct support workforce. Among other criteria, nominees are judged on their effectiveness in building social networks, meaningful and productive participation in the community for the people they serve and advocating or effecting change on behalf of people with disabilities.
ANCOR announced the winners from 39 states and the District of Columbia as State Direct Support Professional of the Year recipients during the ceremony in New Orleans. They will receive their awards from ANCOR and the gift cards from CDS in conjunction with ANCOR’s Governmental Activities Seminar, September 13, 2010, in Washington, D.C. Vignettes showcasing the individual stories of all winners will be posted at www.youneedtoknowme.org.
2010 State Direct Support Professional Award Winners
Arizona: Sarah Joswick, RISE Services, Inc., Mesa
Arkansas: Jessica Dunnick, Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc.,
Little Rock
California: Mallika Zavalza, Dungarvin California, LLC, Santa Rosa
Colorado: Rita Hirsch, Community Advantage, Greeley
Connecticut: Susan Hancock, Ability Beyond Disability, Bethel
District of Columbia: Rachael Houston, St. John’s Community Services
Delaware: Rebecca Loller, ResCare/VOCA DE, Newark
Florida: Lucinda McGruder, United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida, Pensacola
Pennsylvania: Barb Sanders, Erie Homes for Children & Adults, Inc., Erie
South Dakota: Twila Baade, Oahe, Inc., Pierre
Tennessee: Jermaine Favors, Open Arms Care Corporation, Ooltewah
Texas: Velma Winston, ResCare, Inc., Houston
Vermont: Lynn Brooks, Families First, Brattleboro
Virginia: Justin Orndorff, Community Alternatives Virginia, Gore
Washington: Carla Stevens, ResCare, Inc. dba Creative Living Services, Seattle
West Virginia: Donna Keister, Potomac Center, Inc., Romney
Wisconsin: Jennifer Sabally, Dungarvin Wisconsin, LLC, Milwaukee
Through its National Advocacy Campaign, ANCOR advocates for increased federal funding to support training opportunities and higher wages for DSPs employed by private providers. ANCOR is committed to passage of HR 868, The Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act of 2009. This federal legislation would increase Medicaid funding for support and services for people with disabilities specific to increase wages for community-based DSPs. People with disabilities would benefit through stabilization of this high turnover workforce. Direct support services are funded through Medicaid reimbursements; reimbursement rates are set by state governments.
About ANCOR
The American Network of Community Options and Resources is the premier national association representing more than 850 private providers of community living and employment supports and services to more than 385,000 individuals with disabilities. As a nonprofit organization, ANCOR successfully addresses the needs and interests of private providers before Congress and federal agencies, continually advocating for the crucial role private providers play in enhancing and supporting the lives of people with disabilities and their families. The ANCOR National Advocacy Campaign was established to provide a focus on this critical workforce issue.
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 received the award for its National Advocacy Campaign (NAC) for Direct Support Professionals (DSP). The NAC seeks to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a highly qualified and sustainable direct support workforce. Campaign elements include annual awards for outstanding DSPs; annual federal, state and local DSP Recognition Week celebrations; and support for H.R. 868, proposed legislation to alleviate the wage crisis.
One in ten American families is affected by disabilities and all Americans face concerns about supports as the population ages and family members age. DSPs provide the supports and services that are essential to people with disabilities and others, such as older Americans, allowing them to live meaningful lives in communities and circumstances of their choosing.
“We are thrilled that ANCOR and its members are recognized for their extraordinary commitment to strengthening the fabric of our communities,” stated Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. “To be among 24 associations to be added to the elite 2010 Associations Advance America Honor Roll, out of hundreds of entrants, is a great honor.”
“ANCOR’s program truly embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance America campaign. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase this activity as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance American society,” remarked Associations Advance America Committee Chair Ping Wei, director of educational opportunities for the American Society of Civil Engineers.
About ANCOR
The American Network of Community Options and Resources is a national association representing more than 850 private providers of community living and employment supports and services to more than 400,000 individuals with disabilities. As a nonprofit organization, ANCOR successfully addresses the needs and interests of private providers, which employ nearly a half million DSPs, before Congress and federal agencies, continually advocating for the crucial role private providers play in enhancing and supporting the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Through the National Advocacy Campaign, ANCOR seeks to obtain the resources to recruit, train and retain a sustainable direct support workforce.
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.
The ANCOR National Advocacy Campaign (NAC) launched the DSP Capital Challenge in the fall of 2009 as a competition among its membership to generate contact with Members of Congress in support of H.R. 868, the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act.
The Capital Challenge competition was successful in facilitating close to 600 unique constituent contacts from DSPs, family members and consumers to Washington lawmakers, helping to raise awareness of the critical supports DSPs provide each day to millions of Americans with disabilities. During the three-month competition, H.R. 868 experienced an increase of thirty-three new co-sponsors bringing the current total to 59.
“Each year, the ANCOR Advocacy Award highlights the incredible work of our membership in affecting change for the direct support workforce and shaping the future of the profession,” said Renee Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. “On behalf of ANCOR, I am pleased to recognize YAI’s support of the NAC’s goal to seek funding and other solutions that would mitigate the worsening direct support workforce crisis.”
As the award winner, a YAI representative will be sent to ANCOR’s 2010 Management Practices Conference in New Orleans, LA (April 11-13) to receive the prestigious ANCOR Advocacy Award and be honored for outstanding leadership and advocacy on behalf of the direct support workforce.
"It is gratifying that so many of YAI/NIPD's families, staff and direct support professionals reached out to their Congressional members on behalf of all DSPs across the country. By partnering with ANCOR and its members, our collective voices carried a powerful message about our most valuable resource – DSPs," said Dr. Philip H. Levy, President and CEO of YAI/NIPD.
About YAI National Institute for People with Disabilities
Since 1957, YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities (YAI/NIPD), a member of YAI Network, has been a pioneer in the provision of community-based services for people of all ages with developmental and learning disabilities and their families. YAI/NIPD serves people with disabilities and their families throughout the New York metropolitan area, including Long Island and Westchester County. YAI/NIPD provides residential, day services, family support, recreation, employment training and placement, home health care, information and referral, skills training, case management and camping and travel. In short, every service that people with developmental disabilities need to succeed.
Through its award-winning services, trainings, conferences and advocacy, YAI/NIPD has helped to lead a revolution -- professionalizing the field, transforming the public's perception of people with disabilities and championing human rights: to live one's unique life; to determine the course of that life; to make a difference; and to participate in the community.
