May 2021 – Policy & Advocacy News
A Note from the CEO…
The COVID-19 crisis has cast a bright light on the vital role direct support professionals play in the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
DSPs provide the services and supports that allow people with disabilities to live more independently and fully participate in their community. This month, advocates have a unique opportunity to support the efforts of our elected officials in Washington and Sacramento in honoring the work of our outstanding DSPs and to advance efforts to support them more fully.
Assemblymember Chris Holden has introduced a resolution in the California Legislature thanking our DSPs and highlighting their heroic role in supporting people with disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis.
Legislation has also been introduced in the U.S. Senate and House to address the DSP workforce crisis and to elevate the position by formally recognizing the DSP position at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Please join me join thanking our outstanding DSP workforce.
Lori Anderson, President and CEO
Advocacy Contacts
Governor Gavin Newsom
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 558-3160
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Twitter: @GavinNewsom
@CAgovernor
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California News
Holden Introduces Resolution Honoring California Direct Support Professionals
California Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-41) has introduced a resolution to “recognize the skills and dedication of direct support professionals and show appreciation for the direct support professionals who have faithfully served Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the COVID-19 public health crisis.” During the week of May 17th California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 41 (ACR41), will be heard during the Assembly Floor Session. This provides California advocates with an ideal opportunity to show support for direct support professionals (DSPs) by asking their state Assembly members to speak in support of this important Resolution.
ACR 41, as introduced, reads as follows:
- WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting stay-at-home orders and other safety measures began one year ago; and
- WHEREAS, March is recognized nationwide as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month; and
- WHEREAS, More than 350,000 Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) receive regional center services; and
- WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has a disproportionate impact on people with IDD, who are especially vulnerable to complications and mortality due to the coronavirus; and
- WHEREAS, During this pandemic, direct support professionals throughout the state prioritized the health and safety of people with IDD, often placing the needs of people in their care over their own personal interests; and
- WHEREAS, Direct support professionals showed flexibility, consistently responding to changing public health conditions and state guidelines for health and safety, while also addressing the changing needs of the people they serve; and
- WHEREAS, Direct support professionals were guided by person-centered philosophy to meet the support needs of people with IDD during a historic pandemic that changed every aspect of their life; and
- WHEREAS, Direct support professionals demonstrated innovation in creating new programs to safely support individuals with IDD during the pandemic and mitigate the isolating impact of health and safety measures; now, therefore, be it
- RESOLVED by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature values the heroism and commitment of direct support professionals in the service of Californians with IDD; and be it further
- RESOLVED, That the Legislature, having acknowledged the rights of Californians with IDD and the state’s responsibility to them through the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, finds that direct support professionals are essential to carrying out this responsibility; and be it further
- RESOLVED, That the Legislature recognizes the skills and dedication of direct support professionals; and be it further
- RESOLVED, That the Legislature appreciates all direct support professionals who have faithfully served Californians with IDD during the COVID-19 public health crisis; and be it further
- RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
National News
Direct CARE Opportunity Act introduced in U.S. House of Representatives
On May 4, U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Susan Wild (PA-07), and Susie Lee (NV-03) introduced the Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment (CARE) Opportunity Act (H.R. 2999). This bill would invest more than $1 billion over five years in training for direct support professionals (DSPs) for people with disabilities.
The Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2021 acknowledges the essential role DSPs play in ensuring that people with disabilities live with dignity and independence. There is a growing demand for direct care and but not enough workers to meet the demand. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that one in four adults, or 61 million Americans is currently living with a disability. Between 2018 and 2028, the direct care workforce is projected to add more than 1.3 million new jobs.
The Direct CARE Opportunity Act addresses the need for a prepared, well-trained, and empowered DSPs workforce now and for the future. The Direct CARE Opportunity Act:
- Provides funding to states and entities to invest in strategies to recruit, retain and advance the direct care workforce pipeline;
- Implements models and strategies to make the field of direct care more attractive, such as training and registered apprenticeships, career pathways, or mentoring, allowing for local and regional innovation to address workforce shortages and needs in a high-demand field;
- Encourages retention and career advancement in the growing field of direct care;
- Responds to the needs of a growing aging population and allows older Americans, people with disabilities, and others who require direct care services to remain in their communities, when possible; and
- Supports the health and wellbeing of those who need and rely on direct care services, helping to prevent costlier institutional care.
It is expected that legislators will consider the Direct CARE Opportunity Act as part of the infrastructure package currently working its way through the legislative process. Click here to read a text of the bill. U.S. Senators Introduce Bi-Partisan Legislation That Would Designate DSPs as an Officially Recognized Profession by the Bureau of Labor Statistics United States Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have re-introduced legislation to create a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Currently, there are not enough qualified workers to fill this critical need for dedicated DSP positions. Home and community-based service (HCBS) providers struggle to recruit and retain DSPs as evidenced by a 2016 study by the National Core Indicators that showed that DSPs had a national turnover rate of 45 percent.
A lack of sound data compounds the problem. Federal agencies use data collected through the BLS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system to analyze workforce trends, but this system does not provide an accurate picture of current DSP workforce challenges because there is no SOC for DSPs. Currently, the system classifies DSPs under the broader category of “home health care aide,” which includes all home health care occupations. As a result, it is impossible to accurately track and report workforce trends for DSPs, often resulting in the underreporting of workforce needs and regional workforce shortages.
“As a mother of a son who experiences severe disabilities, I have seen day after day the vital role that Direct Support Professionals play for individuals with disabilities and their families,’ said Senator Hassan. “Not only do they assist with daily tasks, but they also help people who experience disabilities participate fully in their communities. Their work profoundly touches the lives of the individuals and families that they work with, and we must ensure that there are enough Direct Support Professionals in the workforce to provide this crucial support.”
The Hassan/Collins bill would direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise the SOC system to establish a separate code for DSPs, ensuring better data on these pressing workforce challenges. By improving data collection, this bill will:
- Provide states and the federal government with more accurate information about the workforce trends for Direct Support Professionals to help identify workforce shortage areas and report accurate turnover rates.
- Help identify where to implement targeted workforce training programs for Direct Support Professionals so that trained workers can meet local workforce needs.
- Recognize the unique role that Direct Support Professionals play in supporting individuals who experience disabilities and raise awareness of critical workforce needs.
Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) are also cosponsoring the legislation. Click here to read a copy of the legislation.
The Direct Support Workforce and COVID-19 National Survey Report 2020: Initial Report Released
The Institute on Community Integration and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals collaborated to lift up the voice of the direct support workforce by conducting a study to determine the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the direct support professional workforce. The stated goal of this study was to gather evidence about the experiences of the direct support workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic and to inform efforts to better prepare for future waves of this pandemic.
Click here to download a PDF of this report.
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