Direct Support Workforce Rallies State Legislators to increase wages

Boulder - February 4, 2009 – In conjunction with Developmental Disabilities Day at the State Capitol, Carmel Community Living Corporation and Alliance are assembling hundreds of Direct Support Professionals (DSP), individuals with disabilities, and their families from across the state to rally state legislators on February 18. At issue is the alarming shortage of DSP workers in this country and their inability to earn a living wage.

Alliance is a statewide association representing thousands of professionals who are employed in the field of developmental disabilities throughout Colorado.

"Low DSP wages coupled with emotionally and sometimes physically difficult work often leads to high turnover and disruption of services for a particularly fragile group of Coloradans," said Chris Collins, Alliance Executive Director. "Thousands of elderly and individuals with disabilities across the state who receive personal and very intimate supports from DSPs every day become victims of this workforce shortage." Collins stated further that DSPs deserve, "respect and fair compensation for valued work."

About Direct Support Professionals
Direct Support Professionals, often referred to as caregivers, personal assistants or home care aides, are the lynchpin to the ultimate success or failure of community-based long-term supports. DSP workers build close, trusted relationships with the millions of seniors and people with disabilities they assist each day. They work in community settings assisting people with disabilities with medications, preparing and eating meals, dressing, mobility, and handling daily affairs. Unfortunately, these critical supports are being threatened by a growing workforce crisis.

Staggering National Statistics
The U.S. Department of Labor statistics show that the average U.S. worker makes about $16.75 an hour, while the average DSP makes about $9.26 an hour for the close, nurturing and intimate critical support they provide. Many DSPs work two jobs to make ends meet for their own families. The daily challenges these front-line workers face are both physically and emotionally demanding. Inadequate wages have led to high turnover (as high as 86% in some residential settings) and ongoing vacancies in the direct support workforce.

• 19% of all DSPs live in poverty and a staggering 49% of all DSPs are in low-income families (below 200% of the federal poverty level);
• 25% of all DSPs have no health insurance and another 22% receive their health insurance via a government program;
• DSP wages increased only $1.20 from 1995 to 2004 versus $2.79 and $1.75 for public direct support positions (state employees) and fast food workers respectively; and
• DSP wages even rose slower than the minimum wage from 1995 to 2004, 16.88% vs. 21.18%.

Nationwide, there are approximately 1.4 million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who require professional support in order to live and work in their own communities rather than an institution. Unfortunately, there are only about 875,000 direct support workers serving this one segment of the disabled population. DSP positions will continue to be among the fastest growing jobs in America as 70 million Americans will be age 65 or older by 2030, twice as many 65 and older Americans as there were in 2000. By 2020, the number of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is anticipated to grow to 1.4 million and the number of DSPs for that population alone will need to increase to 1.2 million. Currently all direct support positions represent 2% of the entire American workforce.

Carmel Community Living Corporation is a leading provider in quality services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities all across Colorado’s Front Range. Carmel was established in 1969 and specializes in Supported Living, Residential, Vocational and Day Program Services. If you would like to inquire more information on Carmel and their provided services please visit www.carmelcorp.com or call Bob Arnold, (303) 444 – 0573 x49.