Hi Everyone,

Below is an article about public service announcements about the direct support workforce crisis.  Congrats to ANCOR for their leadership in getting these PSAs produced and distributed!

Julie

 

-----Original Message-----
From: gsmith [mailto:gsmith@hsri.org]
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 12:13 AM
To: Amber Cooper; Amy LeTourneau; Elizabeth Pell; Gary Smith; Guisi Chiri; Jaime; Janae Zolna; Jennifer Negus; John Agosta; Julie Silver; June Rowe; Kerri Melda; Marianne Taylor; Mike Nikolenko; Reena Wagle; Sarah Knipper; Sarah Taub; Val Bradley
Subject: DSPs

 

Public Service Announcements Warn Quality of Life at Risk For Americans with Disabilities
Tuesday March 11, 4:05 pm ET

Research Verifies Supports and Services Will Be Compromised By Eroding Workforce

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Television public service announcements were released today warning that the independence and quality of life of disabled Americans is being threatened by a work shortage of private direct support professionals.

There are eight million Americans with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, many of whom rely on private supports and services. These disabilities include mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and other related conditions.

Nearly 500-thousand people with disabilities live productive and meaningful lives in community settings nationwide where they work and volunteer in their own communities. Over 310,000 private direct support professionals are the backbone of these living arrangements.

"The quality of life for Americans with developmental disabilities is at risk. There is a real and present workforce shortage jeopardizing the daily supports that are crucial for people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities to live and work in their communities," warns Fred Romenka, president of the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR).

A recent study conducted by BDO Seidman determined that the labor purchasing power of private providers has dramatically eroded over the past ten years, compromising their ability to hire and retain quality staff. The public service announcements feature Midge Soderbergh, mother of noted director Steven Soderbergh, whose brother Peter is developmentally disabled and lives in a community setting. She tells viewers that: "Everyone eventually needs support. My son, Steven, needed it to become an award-winning film director. My son, Peter, also benefits from compassionate support to live in the community. 'Problem is, it's all at risk because the thousands of professionals who support individuals with disabilities aren't paid enough to support their own families! Direct Support Professionals make a difference. Shouldn't they also make a living?"

The Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. will first receive the PSAs. Sinclair has agreed to encourage the program directors at its 62 stations (39 markets) to review the PSAs and to consider airing them over the next several months.

These risks are acute and growing worse every day as found in the BDO Seidman study. According to the study:

    *     The hourly wage for Private Direct Support Workers increased only

          $0.82 versus $3.16 for public direct support workers and $2.11 for

          Fast Food Workers.  This represents a nine percent increase over a

          decade.

    *     The percentage increases for the Public Direct Support Worker and

          Fast Food Workers were almost three to four times higher,

          respectively, than the percentage increase in wages for private

          sector employees.

    *     Both the dollar amount and percentage increase in hourly wage rates

          for Private Direct Support Workers are far below that of comparable

          job categories as well as the national minimum wage.

    *     State funded systems, including those that rely on Medicaid, are

          held to fixed appropriations based upon state public policy choices

          and economic conditions and are not as responsive as the private

          sector in adjusting to labor supply and demand factors.

    *     Benefits provided are roughly 3 1/2 times less that that provided to

          all civilian workers and less than half that of private nursing

          homes.

    *     Health insurance premium increases far exceed general inflation,

          requiring providers to increase the employee contribution.

    *     Many Private Direct Support Professionals cannot afford to pay the

          employee portion of health insurance premiums -- meaning fewer

          employees participate in this benefit than in other industries.

"Without quality and continuity in direct support services, disabilities can become more severe, people can become more isolated, productivity and self-esteem spiral downward," added Fred Romenka. "Without quality and continuity in direct support services, families become emotionally and financially drained. Aging parents are afraid of the future for their children. When they cannot support them, who will?"

"The severity of the crisis is compounded as the U.S. population ages and individuals with disabilities seek support services," said Joe Lubarsky, CPA, National Director, Long Term Care Services, BDO Seidman. "Low unemployment, skyrocketing insurance costs and increased demand for service industry employees further challenge the recruiting efforts for Direct Support Professionals. Without adequate funding, providers will not have adequate resources to offer competitive wages and benefits to Direct Support Professionals, resulting in further erosion of this workforce and possible adverse affects on quality and accessibility of services."

"This issue has deep societal implications," said Dr. Renee Pietrangelo, ANCOR CEO. "Many Direct Support Professionals are young single mothers of varying ethnicities who are extremely committed and love what they do. They are selfless and compassionate workers rewarded by intangible benefits. But intangibles don't feed their children or pay their rent. Most work at least two jobs to make ends meet. They are America's quiet heroes and they deserve better compensation and greater respect."

The American Network of Community Options and Resources represents and advocates on behalf of the more the 700 providers of services and supports to over 360,000 Americans with disabilities. To view the study or download a copy of "The Growing Crisis in Recruiting and Retaining the Direct Support Workforce" BDO Seidman research, visit http://www.ancor.org/dev/Activities/NAC/Final-Report_Revised121602.pdf. To view the PSAs and the campaign video, visit http://www.ancor.org/dev/ancorvideo.htm.

 

 

Gary Smith

HSRI

8500 SW Nyberg Road, Suite 205

Tualatin OR 97070

gsmith@...

503-885-1436 ext. 17

FAX 503-885-1536