DSP’s are the workers who provide in-home and community care to enable individuals with disabilities to live more independent lives. They provide essential and sometimes difficult services, many of which were not expected in the years when people with disabilities lived in institutional settings. In institutions, DSP’s provided basic care—bathing, toileting, feeding, behavioral management. Now we also expect them to work closely with families, communicate medical needs to physicians and provide follow-up care, teach independent living skills, and develop meaningful community activities that will connect people with disabilities to the wider community.

With the breadth of services that DSP’s provide, one would think they would be highly trained and compensated appropriately for the complexity of their job. However, most states and agencies have not developed comprehensive training programs for DSP’s. Many agencies in Colorado only require competency in a few basic areas, such as CPR and First Aid, human care and treatment and medication administration.

Due to the inadequate funding for most disability programs, compensation is also lacking. In Colorado, community DSP’s make 49% of the state hourly wage. DSP’s who work in community settings also make only 70% of the wages paid to DSP’s who work for the State in congregate and institutional setting. We have yet to put our money where our values are.

The combination of these factors—difficult work, inconsistent training, low wages—have created what many are calling a crisis in the disabilities field. High turnover of DSP’s causes disruption and stress for families and individuals with disabilities. Agencies who serve individuals with disabilities spend much of their time training new DSP’s and may lose up to 75% of their experienced workforce each year. And the crisis is only getting worse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that one million new DSP’s will be needed by 2016.

During National DSP week, we not only celebrate the essential tasks these workers provide, but we spotlight the changes that need to happen in this field. Organizations like the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals advocate for enhanced status for DSP’s; better access to high quality education, including a national credentialing process; and legislation and funding that supports better wages, benefits and career pathways for persons providing in-home and community care.

Community Connections is celebrating their 25^th Anniversary as the sole provider of developmental disabilities services in Southwest Colorado by honoring the DSP’s of past, present and future. On September 16, City of Durango Mayor and previous Community Connections’ DSP Michael Rendon will kick off a celebration of DSP’s at Three Springs. For more information about this event or how to get involved in advocating for fair wages and increased status for DSP’s, contact Community Connections at 970-259-2464.