WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE!

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, friends and community-based services providers know exactly how important the direct support professionals (DSP) are in their lives. Last week, September 9 – 15, 2018 was Direct Support Recognition week celebrating the workforce that is absolutely essential to ensuring a quality life in the community for people with I/DD. It was wonderful to read, hear and watch so many stories about the importance and value of DSPs across the county. It is with deep appreciation and respect that I thank all the agencies, associations and entities that recognized and celebrated DSP week.

On the heels of DSP week, and knowing just how critical this workforce is, it seems appropriate to discuss the VALUE of the workforce. The definition of value that I found is “the regard that something is held to deserve, the importance, worth or usefulness of something” (in this case I would say someone). After looking up that definition I looked up the definition of DSP – “people who work directly with people with physical disabilities and/or intellectual disabilities with the aim of assisting the individual to become integrated into his/her community or the least restrictive environment” and the “duties or tasks” DSPs do which was helping patients with daily activities, accompanying them to doctor appointments, cooking and serving meals, performing light housekeeping duties, running errands, and providing companionship. My initial thoughts of the definition of DSP is although technically correct it doesn’t really reflect the VALUE of DSPs related to quality of life in the community for people with I/DD. I think it is best not to give my initial thoughts of the duties or tasks of a DSP because I was a DSP and know that it is SO MUCH MORE.

I personally think the definitions of value, DSP and duties need to be combined to read something more like this – DSPs are held in high regard and deserve a livable wage for the importance and worth of their work ensuring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live a quality life, of their choosing, in the community.

Without a doubt DSPs are the backbone of our entire system of supports and services for people with I/DD. Sadly, because so many are under paid and overall our society does not truly value the work they do our system desperately struggles to meet the workforce needs. The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) published a White Paper last year (2017) that illustrates the importance of addressing commensurate wage, competitive benefits and professional respect for the DSP workforce. Advocacy from and for the DSP workforce is essential!!! ADVOCATE EVERY CHANCE YOU GET!

Teresa Anderson, Policy Director, The Arc & UCP Collaboration