Tag: Direct Support Professionals

The Governor and Legislature Have Moved The Goalposts on Californians With Disabilities

By Jordan Lindsey, The Arc/UCP California Collaboration

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law that will raise wages to $20 per hour for the state’s 300,000 workers employed by fast-food chains. When signing the law, the Governor stated, “We have the opportunity to reward that contribution, reward that sacrifice, and stabilize an industry.” The law also includes the possibility of annual wage increases, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, of 3.5%, and could result in a wage of $25 per hour in the next few years.

Meanwhile, California’s 100,000 direct support professionals (DSPs), who heroically support people with developmental disabilities to participate in our communities and jobs, earn wages between $16-$20 per hour. Their contribution and their sacrifice also deserve to be rewarded, and the Governor, Legislature, and labor unions should commit to doing so by fighting for the same wage increase and annual adjustments. The state faces a critical shortage of direct-care staff to deliver services to people with disabilities due to receiving unlivable wages. Many work multiple jobs and rely on government assistance programs.

It was only a few years ago when the California Legislature and Governor attempted to stabilize the disability direct care workforce by passing $2 billion to increase reimbursement rates for direct service providers. Those new rates, which are dictated by rate models established by the state, provided hope for DSPs and the 400,000 Californians with developmental disabilities they support and their families. Unfortunately, that hope for a stabilized workforce and higher quality supports and services looks like it’s short-lived because in these last few years, the goalposts have been moved on people with disabilities. Just since 2020, the California consumer price index has inflated nearly 17%, but the rate models didn’t change as a result. And now, DSPs will be torn between doing a job they love and that brings support, opportunity, and dignity to individuals with disabilities, or making more money at a fast-food chain.

Governor Newsom, the Legislature, and labor unions should demonstrate their commitment to our direct care workforce the same way they just did for fast-food workers. The Arc & United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration believes the commitment DSPs demonstrate daily to improving the lives of those they support with developmental disabilities demands it.

Join Us in Celebrating National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

Each year, since 2008, we have celebrated Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week.  This week, September 11 to 15, we encourage everyone to take time to recognize the incredible contributions and important role they play ensuring that the human and civil rights of individuals with developmental disabilities are honored, respected, and met. Many organizations through the U.S. will share their celebrations and honor their staff in very meaningful ways.

While there is still much work that needs to be done to professionalize the workforce and provide DSPs with a livable wage, and a well-defined career ladder, we also know how important it is to show appreciation for the work they do to support an individual with disabilities throughout their lifespan. DSPs are truly the backbone of the developmental disabilities services system. DSPs deserve to be recognized for their compassion and dedication to helping people with disabilities reach their full potential and live their best life.

For example, people with disabilities want to live in their own communities and make their own choices about their lives – just like everyone else. For millions, DSPs help people like Krissy O’Keefe make living independently possible.

“The life I have wouldn’t be possible without my support person,” said Krissy.  Click HERE to watch a short and meaningful message from Krissy about the importance of recognizing DSPs this week.

Thank you to all the DSPs who are making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.

A FUTURE IN PERIL Why California is at A Crossroads in 2019 for Supports for People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

More than 350,000 Californians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities live in California as our neighbors, classmates, coworkers, family, and friends; …

More than 350,000 Californians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities live in California as our neighbors, classmates, coworkers, family, and friends; however, their support structure has been grossly underfunded and is failing. A state required Rate Study, due in March, 2019, may propose solutions that should be implemented; regardless,
immediate investment is needed this year.
This year alone, more than 15,000 new individuals with I/DD are expected to require services under the state’s famed Lanterman Act. At the same time, direct support staff are quitting the field or working multiple jobs due to poverty level wages; essential programs are closing throughout the state; and individuals are forced to live with inadequate supports or not supports at all.

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Instead, the state should invest to create job training opportunities, community integration programs, parent support, and a livable wage for the approximately 150,000 direct support professionals whose job is supporting Californians with I/DD.

Let us be clear—our system is in crisis and is falling apart rapidly, and there is a direct impact on people with I/DD, their families, and the workforce, which is predominantly non-white women.
“Our son, David, has autism and significant difficulties with language and needs 24-hour staff support. In the last 27 months David has had 10 different support staff. For obvious reasons, this is not an ideal situation, and recruiting for David can be challenging due to the difficulties of communicating with him. Given the low wage rate with little opportunity for advancement, finding a higher paying job is always a prime motivation for staff to move on. There is always uncertainty about when the situation will resolve, and uncertainty is difficult for David and the rest of our family. The reassurance that would come with improvements for our direct support staff and knowing that the system is stable is priceless.

– Betsy Katz, Mom and President of The Arc of California

Additionally, the federal government has set a deadline of 2022 for implementation of new guidelines that will call for more community integration of this population, further creation of job opportunities, and require more complex support from the people and programs that support people with I/DD. Not one element of this future will be cheaper than what we pay today.

This adds up to a crossroads this year: invest now or leave hundreds of thousands of Californians behind and risk losing hundreds of millions of federal dollars!

THEREFORE: We urge Governor Newsom and the Legislature to include an eight percent, across-the-board rate increase to our system as a down-payment toward the implementation of the rate study, to somewhat stabilize the system, and, if nothing else, to simply account for the rising cost of providing services over the last two years alone.

“I receive a pay check twice a month. I work 120 hours plus each pay period and I bring home only $1500 at the most, usually less than that after taxes. I can’t even afford my own place. I even started driving for lyft to make ends meet. I love my job I enjoy going to work every day but it’s not enough to survive.”
– Direct Support Professional, Solano County

Jordan Lindsey

Jordan Lindsey

Executive Director

The Arc of California

 

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