We last reported that the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act was reintroduced as H.R. 868 in the 111th Congress. WhoWillCare.net is excited to annouce that we have seen a dramatic response to an e-mail that we sent February 24, 2009 to the WhoWillCare.net audience. Already 297 people have taken action and asked their Representative to co-sponsor this bill. Your efforts have been recognized and as a result we already have a co-sponsor besides Congressman Lee Terry (NE-2) who introduced the bill with Congresswoman Capps (CA-23) — Representative John, McHugh (NY-23).
Thank you, Congressman McHugh, for taking the first step in ensuring that Direct Support Professionals receive a fair wage and that people with disabilities and the elderly are truly cared for and receive the best quality of life.
Please, take action, if you haven't already by asking your Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 868 today.
The 131 co-sponsors of H.R. 1279 expired at the end of the 110th Congress. Co-sponsors must renew their sponsorship of H.R. 868 in the 111th Congress.
Please, if your representative co-sponsored the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act in the past, ask them to renew their support and co-sponsor H.R. 868.
I have great news. Congresswoman Lois Capps and Congressman Lee Terry reintroduced H.R. 1279 from the 110th Congress at H.R. 868 in the 111th Congress on February 4, 2009.
Rep James McGovern (MA-3) is the latest to add his name to the list of co-sponsors on September 27, 2008. Please, if you have a representative on the list of co-sponsors for this bill, write them and thank them for taking action to advance the cause of helping H.R. 1279 pass.
Please tell your friends about what you are doing to help H.R. 1279 pass and ask them to do the same at WhoWillCare.net.
Eventhough the 110th Congress is winding down, more co-sponsors on this bill before the end of the session will help ensure success in the 111th Congress that much more. At the end of the 109th Congress there were 86 co-sponsors. Now, during the 110th Congress there are 131! Let's make that number much larger and make a last minute push as the year ends and the new Administration and Congress get into place for the 111th session of Congress.
Thanks and happy holidays to you and your family and friends this season, The WhoWillCare Team
A diverse group of more than 75 people gathered in light rain on Capitol Hill near the United States Capitol Building yesterday to rally in support of HR 1279 – the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act. First introduced in 2007 by Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE) and Lois Capps (D-CA), the bill would give states federal funds to increase the wages of direct support professionals working with people with disabilities – also called DSPs or home caregivers.
Though the inclement weather caused mischief with the microphones, supporters were enthusiastic as they prepared to visit with and plead their case to their Congressional Representatives.
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."
Billie McMiller, a mother from Texas whose son receives services from a caregiver, added, "My son doesn't know you as an employee, he knows you as a friend and as a family substitute."
Carl Gregory Everett, a self-advocate with disabilities who receives services from St. John's Community Services in DC, also spoke at the event. He thanked by name many of those who work long hours every day "so we can live longer."
Congressman Terry beseeched the crowd to "educate" his colleagues about the "crisis" facing the support services industry: "Help us create a mandate to give states flexibility to use federal dollars to help you stay put."
Congresswoman Capps echoed these sentiments, but acknowledged that not much progress would be made this legislative session. However, "next year," she said, "we're going to get right in there, in the thick of things, with a new Congress and a new President."
"The whole disability community has been advocating for community-based support and services for years; a system where clients can make their own choices," she said, summing up the risks of not passing the legislation. "The whole system of services is built upon a well-qualified, well-trained, direct support workforce." She paused and squinted at the dome of the Capital poking out from behind the trees of the park, then shrugged her shoulders, "No workforce, no choice."
Today, at the Capitol Building at 1:30PM Eastern, a the DSP to DC Event Rally will take place. We expect this to be an exciting opportunity to show our support for DSPs everywhere. We will, in the following days post some pictures and video of the event.
Please stay tuned to this blog for more updates as they become available.
I would like to draw your attention to an article related to advocacy and disability issues. Here's a way to get your news source outside of mainstream media outlets.
Please visit UCPeople: Disability and the DNC to find who's blogging/covering the Democratic National Convention from a disability focused perspective.
On September 9, DSPs from across the country will rally on Capitol Hill in support of H.R. 1279, The Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act. This rally will allow us to raise awareness in Washington of the challenges facing the direct support workforce.
No one can communicate the challenges facing this essential workforce better than DSPs themselves. This event is critical to raising the visibility of the workforce crisis and workforce legislation on Capitol Hill. DSPs cannot afford to miss out!
Has your representative 
