The Good News
The Medicaid Waiver offers services in communities throughout Arkansas to support people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) with all major life activities. The goal of the waiver is to help a person with IDD thrive in a community setting rather than in an institutional one. This is achieved thanks to the work of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
DSPs support individuals with IDD to have a better quality of life by promoting their health, safety, and well-being and by facilitating the communication of their needs, goals, and desires.
The Bad News
Unfortunately, our state suffers from a shortage of DSPs, and needs far more to meet the needs of people who have disabilities.
The reasons for the shortage aren’t a secret: their pay is too low, their benefits are too few, and their training and support resources are not sufficient for them to excel at their duties.
A Mutual Commitment
Accessing a fair wage for DSPs requires the collaboration of diverse stakeholders throughout Arkansas, including but not limited to:
- Community-based organizations that employ DSPs to assist people with disabilities;
- Individuals with disabilities who receive services from one or more DSPs in their homes;
- Families and friends of individuals with disabilities;
- State elected officials who legislate and regulate the role, work, and wages of DSPs;
- PASSEs – Arkansas’ managed care organizations that are responsible for funding the services provided by DSPs for individuals with IDD;
- Everyone in our state who values the work of DSPs and their contribution to our community and economy.
At ASN, we are committed to valuing, validating, and appropriately resourcing the Direct Support Professional workforce, along with many others in our communities. We are proud members of the Arkansas Coalition for Strong Families, a collection of a wide range of organizations that support, promote, and advocate for the well-being and inclusion of all Arkansans, including people with disabilities and their DSPs.
Ripple Effect
Including, empowering, and supporting people with disabilities to be valued, contributing members of their communities is essential for the benefit and well-being of all Arkansans.
DSPs are the cornerstone of the home and community-based service system for individuals with disabilities in Arkansas and are essential in ensuring that disabled Arkansans are able to live meaningful lives in the homes and communities they choose.
Having a well-trained and well-paid DSP workforce is an investment, not an expense. Their work is intimately tied to the financial health of Arkansas. The support of DSPs provide possibilities for employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and allows the family of people with disabilities to continue their normal work lives, contributing to the state’s economy.
Letter of Support
Sign here to send a message to your elected officials letting them know that you support better pay for DSPs:
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who support people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) through the Medicaid Waiver are important to our community and should be paid fairly. I am concerned about the current DSP workforce shortage. Please help strengthen our community by ensuring that DSPs are able to make livable wages for the work they do.
I appreciate your help, and ask that you respond promptly to show your support.
Make it Viral
Share the videos and the opportunity to sign on to support the effort. Let your family, friends, and social media contacts know of your support for this important initiative.