WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) and Congressman Lee Terry (NE-02) reintroduced the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2009, legislation to promote fair wages for America’s workers who support people with disabilities.  The Capps-Terry bill enjoys broad bi-partisan support, with over 130 of their House colleagues joining them as co-sponsors of this much needed legislation in the 110th Congress.

“Direct Support Professionals are the dedicated professionals that work long hours with too little pay, caring for the disabled and ensuring that they can live and work in our communities,” said Congresswoman Capps, a registered nurse.  “Despite their dedication, many cannot afford to do the work that they love and are often forced to leave the profession – resulting in a crisis of care for the disabled who depend on their services.  Our legislation takes several important steps to address the crisis of care by providing the tools necessary to recruit and retain this committed workforce that daily provide vital long-term home and community-based support to individuals with disabilities of all ages.  By raising awareness of the need for these workers and ensuring that they are paid a fair wage for the important work that they do, we can help alleviate this crisis and help the disabled and their families.”

“The goal is to help people with disabilities lead productive lives,” said Congressman Terry.  “We must ensure that the people recruited as caregivers are truly qualified, reliable and committed individuals who will support people with disabilities to become active, contributing members of their communities.  Raising wages for direct support professionals is necessary to compensate these individuals for their vital work."

In California, private community care providers report that on average the starting wage for direct support professionals (DSPs) is $8.82 per hour while employees in state-operated programs performing the same work start at $15.65 per hour--a significant differential in wages of 87%. Furthermore, the differential is greater--116%--in comparing the average wage of $9.48 per hour for DSPs employed by private community providers while DSPs employed by state-operated programs earn on average $20.50 per hour.  The majority of DSPs are female and frequently are the single head of a household.  Sadly, due to their inadequate wages, the full time DSP working mother is often eligible for many of the same federal or state benefits as the individuals they are working to support.  These statistics underscore the need to not only address the quality of services for individuals with disabilities, but also make strides toward reducing poverty among very dedicated professionals who care for them.   

The Direct Support Professionals Act would provide a voluntary option for states to receive additional Medicaid funding to reimburse community-based organizations so that they may raise the wages of direct support professionals. 

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.