Today, seasoned professionals and families alike are deeply grateful for the advances of self-determination that many Americans with developmental disabilities enjoy through living and working within their communities.

But all this is in danger now. There is a real and immediate workforce shortage jeopardizing the quality of life for Americans with developmental disabilities. At risk are the everyday responsibilities undertaken by direct support professionals (DSP) on behalf of Americans with disabilities, the elderly and frail.

Direct support professionals offer a wide range of supportive services on a day-to-day basis so that these individuals can live and work in their communities. Their services include: habilitation, health needs, personal care and hygiene, employment, transportation, recreation, housekeeping and other home management-related supports and services. Even though these services are crucial to their well-being, their Medicaid funding is being threatened. Eventually, this will force them back into institutions where they, forfeit their dignity, pride and means of contributing to society.

The Medicaid cutback issue is fraught with deep societal implications.

• Many DSPs are compassionate, selfless, young, single mothers of various races and ethnicities, most of whom work at least two jobs in order to feed their children and pay their rent.
• The reduction in Medicaid will not only eliminate services for individuals with disabilities, it will further depress DSP wages, pushing these quiet heroes and their children into poverty and onto America's welfare roles.

This is why ANCOR needs your help and involvement in the National Advocacy Campaign.

• The push to reduce Medicaid funding is ludicrous and dangerous for the more than eight million people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities who depend on DSP's services.
• Benefits provided for DSPs are roughly 3 ½ times less that of civilian workers and less than half that of private nursing homes.
• 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.
• Medicaid funding needs to be increased to retain a stable, quality DSP workforce.

Our states must give private providers the opportunity to fairly compensate the DSPs who make such a huge difference in the lives of so many. We must address the workforce training, retention and funding issues that are jeopardizing community-based supports and services for more than eight million Americans.

Our Mission
Obtain the resources to recruit, train and retain a stable, qualified direct support workforce that will, in turn, enhance and promote community living and enrich the lives of Americans with disabilities.

Our Objectives

1. Obtain wage and benefit enhancements.
2. Create need for a national policy to address the workforce shortage, i.e., make this a national issue.
3. Demonstrate the critical role direct support professionals make in enhancing the lives of Americans with disabilities.
4. Secure incentives for solidifying a career path for direct support professionals.
5. Build the level of public awareness of the depth of private provider services.

Our Three-Pronged Strategy

1. Lobbying to affect national public policy.
2. Research to demonstrate the need for a change in public policy.
3. Public awareness to take our case to the American people and gain their support.

Won't you join us in ensuring that the millions of Americans with disabilities and mental retardation will continue to enjoy life in their communities. Get involved today!

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