Illinois Direct Support Professionals

• To connect and network with other DSP's from around the state
• To enhance the professional status of our role as a DSP
• To promote educational experiences and access to career paths for DSP's
• To advocate for systems change around the issues and barriers facing the direct support workforce ( for example, wages, low social status and high staff turnover.)

DSP's play a critical role in the lives of people with disabilities and their families

The quality of support individuals with disabilities recieve from DSP's has a profound influence on their daily lives

DSP's make a difference...shouldn't they make a decent living?

 

Work With Local Media to Press for Quick Congressional Action on Economic Recovery Package with Medicaid FMAP Public Support Must Be Built for Congress to Agree on Economic Recovery Package More Info Important to Demonstrate Need for Additional Federal Medicaid Funding   The Senate is debating throughout the week on its version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, hoping to vote on the legislation by Friday, February 6th.  It is an evolving process with differences over the scope, size, and components of a rescue plan. The Senate is considering hundreds of floor amendments, votes to remove or add new provisions, with some bipartisan support to cut federal spending currently in the Senate bill. The Senate version that emerges will differ significantly from the bill passed by the House on January 28th--requiring both chambers to reconcile the differences into one single bill--with the House and Senate to vote on the same identical bill and send to President Obama--all before the scheduled Congressional recess February 16-20th. With so much at stake, ANCOR members are urged to use their local media to press for quick Congressional action on a rescue plan that provides an infusion of federal funding to states--an increase in each state's federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP).  Now is the time to pull out all stops to gain support for federal Medicaid funds in the economic recovery package. ANCOR Capitol Hill visits this week reveal that there is growing concerns over spending levels, state aid, and other provisions in the recovery package.  A public appeal is needed through letters to the editor and op-ed pieces in local newspapers and call-ins to radio and television programs to generate support for the temporary, increased in federal Medicaid funding to assist states.  To help you in your efforts, use the following ANCOR tools: ANCOR "talking points" from which to pull together your message for your media outreach efforts. Use ANCOR's online Action Center media guide for contact information. Why reach out to the media?   Public support for the economic recovery package encourages elected officials to vote in favor of the bill.  There are three purposes for your outreach throughout the next 10 days:  (1) to generate awareness of the role private providers play in their communities and the lives of individuals with disabilities; (2) to increase understanding of Medicaid's role and public support as to why the nearly $88 billion in additional federal Medicaid funding to states is needed;  and (3) to build support for your state using its allocation of additional federal Medicaid funding in a fair, responsible way to reflect--at minimum--current eligibility, benefits and provider payments for services and supports to individuals with disabilities.    In addition to ANCOR's talking points, keep the following in mind: Your audience is the public.  Refrain from using acronyms-FMAP or DSP-and other terms familiar to us, but unfamiliar to the public. Personalize your message and communicate your passion. Utilize all of your resources to deliver your messages, including influential members of your community, Board of Directors, local business leaders, family members, and employees. For additional suggestions see ANCOR's talking points. Check out examples of ANCOR member media outreach on our website. Remember to send copies of your submissions or accounts of your activities to ANCOR (afiala@ancor.org).

 
         Illinois Direct Support Professionals