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News from ANCOR:

Dear ANCOR members,

I write to call your attention to a segment that aired during Saturday’s episode of Good Morning America on the direct support workforce crisis. The story chronicling staffing shortages in group homes on Long Island and nationally included excerpts from an interview with ANCOR COO Gabrielle Sedor, as well as reference to ANCOR’s research on the State of America’s Direct Support Workforce Crisis. Overall, the show did an excellent job of packaging complex issues into an accessible, three-minute story.

View and share Good Morning America’s feature on the direct support workforce crisis.

GMA is the latest among several high-profile outlets showcasing the direct support workforce crisis, illustrating growing acknowledgment of the significance of our field’s recruitment and retention obstacles. To that end, I hope you will consider sharing the link to the video on social media and in your advocacy so we can help further amplify this important message.

Finally, this high-profile feature simply would not have happened without the contributions of Michael Seereiter, President & CEO of the New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation (who was also interviewed for the segment) who connected us with the producer, and Lauren Tilghman, Director of Strategic Communications for KenCrest who provided some of the photos that were used in the segment. Thank you, Michael and Lauren!

With gratitude,

Sean Luechtefeld, PhD, CAE (he/him)
Vice President, Membership & Communications
ANCOR

Message From ANCOR:

In a notable development, the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act has progressed to the committee markup stage in the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC). The Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act has been a key legislative priority for ANCOR. This legislation aims to establish a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Its passage would officially recognize direct support as a profession and tackle the recruitment and retention crisis that has impacted the availability of professionals supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in home and community-based settings.

ANCOR, along with its coalition partners, has been a steadfast advocate for the establishment of a SOC for DSPs and wrote a statement of support to HSGAC on this significant legislation. The workforce crisis in community disability services has resulted in alarming turnover and vacancy rates, leading to limited access to crucial and often life-saving services for individuals with I/DD. According to the latest data from National Core Indicators, DSP turnover stood at 43.3% at the end of 2021, with 16.5% of full-time direct support positions and 20.3% of part-time positions remaining vacant.

The establishment of a distinct SOC for DSPs would enable the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to accurately capture employment and wage data specific to this profession. This, in turn, would support state and federal agencies in making informed policy decisions concerning the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services program. Furthermore, it would facilitate the development of precise payment rates, addressing the negative and enduring effects on DSP workforce retention and recruitment. Shannon McCracken, ANCOR’s vice president for government relations, emphasized, “When we eventually see the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act become law, we will look back on it as a pivotal moment in the history of our service delivery system—a moment when we made a collective choice to stop undervaluing the services that connect people with I/DD to their communities.”

The bill was introduced by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in the Senate, along with Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Joe Morelle (D-NY) in the House. Their bipartisan efforts reflect the importance of addressing the workforce crisis and improving the support provided to people with I/DD.

This year, Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is September 10–16, and ANCOR has all you need to plan your thank-yous and celebrations!

One of the most popular ways to customize celebrations is by browsing and purchasing from the 2023 Direct Support Professional Recognition Week Store!

ANCOR has updated the DSP Recognition Week Store with NEW items, they’re bringing back some of their most popular items, and more items will be added throughout this week!

In addition to everything below, there are even more bag options, water bottles, travel mugs and tumblers, notebooks, coolers, and more. Start browsing today!

Make sure to place your orders by August 20 to ensure receipt by the start of DSP Recognition Week.

DSP Recognition Week is one of our favorite times of year, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you and see all of your celebrations! Thank you, DSPs!