Who is a DSP?

They are home caregivers. And they are pushing for action on the following bill to allow them to provide consistent, professional care.

H.R.1279
Title: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide funds to States to enable them to increase the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing services to individuals with disabilities under the Medicaid Program.

Currently, DSPs working in private practice make an average of $8.68 per hour for work that is emotionally and physically exhausting. Nineteen percent of all DSPs live in poverty and 25% are without their own healthcare. Turnover is high, and the resulting lack of continuity in care can be demoralizing for or even harmful to people with disabilities.

"We've seen what happens when our clients don't get consistent care," Andrea McMurray, a caregiver from Lawrence, Kansas, told those attending the rally. "We've seen them turn inward, stop trusting the people who are supposed to help them. But when they can depend on a staff member to be there... it's amazing what they can do."

via directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com

There is a crisis facing the support services industry, one that needs to be addressed. The video below encourages us to talk to others about what a DSP is, how little they get paid and what's at stake.

For more information about HR 1279, click here.