Direct Support Direct Support Professionals Today: The Professionals Today: The

Current Landscape in Current Landscape in MinnesotaMinnesota

What is a Direct Support Professional What is a Direct Support Professional (DSP)?(DSP)?

Those who provide direct supports to:Those who provide direct supports to: individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilitiesindividuals with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities persons with mental illness and substance abuse issues persons with mental illness and substance abuse issues

DSPs also provide direct care to: DSPs also provide direct care to: persons with long term health care needspersons with long term health care needs persons who are aging (seniors)persons who are aging (seniors) children and youthchildren and youth

Other titles Include: Other titles Include: Home Health AideHome Health Aide Personal Care AttendantPersonal Care Attendant Personal Assistant Personal Assistant Certified Nursing AssistantCertified Nursing Assistant

Direct Support Professional Direct Support Professional InfluenceInfluence

How do DSPs currently have influence?How do DSPs currently have influence? Provide socially-valuable servicesProvide socially-valuable services Support individuals with multiple disabilities and Support individuals with multiple disabilities and

challenging behaviors and who are medically fragile challenging behaviors and who are medically fragile Advocate for consumersAdvocate for consumers Enhance livesEnhance lives

In what ways do DSPs lack influence?In what ways do DSPs lack influence? Invisible and viewed as disposableInvisible and viewed as disposable Sub-standard compensation and benefit packagesSub-standard compensation and benefit packages Lack credibility/professionalismLack credibility/professionalism Ambiguous vocational definitions and boundariesAmbiguous vocational definitions and boundaries

What do Professional Associations What do Professional Associations provide their members?provide their members?

Opportunities for Connection and NetworkingOpportunities for Connection and Networking Education and resourcesEducation and resources TrainingTraining Credential/Licensing/CertificationCredential/Licensing/Certification Leadership opportunitiesLeadership opportunities Professional recognitionProfessional recognition Influence systems change through legislation Influence systems change through legislation

and policy developmentand policy development

Example Models Example Models

American Medical AssociationAmerican Medical Association American Nurses AssociationAmerican Nurses Association National Association of Social WorkersNational Association of Social Workers American Physical Therapy AssociationAmerican Physical Therapy Association The American Occupational Therapy The American Occupational Therapy

Association, Inc.Association, Inc.

Direct Support Professional Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) Association of Minnesota (DSPAM)

since 2005since 2005 State Chapter of the National Alliance for Direct State Chapter of the National Alliance for Direct

Support Professionals (NADSP)Support Professionals (NADSP) DSPAM supports NADSP Goals: DSPAM supports NADSP Goals:

• enhance status of DSPsenhance status of DSPs• provide better access to high quality educational experiencesprovide better access to high quality educational experiences• strengthen working relationships with individuals and families/support networksstrengthen working relationships with individuals and families/support networks• promote system reform through the promotion of policy initiativespromote system reform through the promotion of policy initiatives• support the development and implementation of a national voluntary credentialing support the development and implementation of a national voluntary credentialing

process for DSPs.process for DSPs.

DSPAM State Chapter liaisons to NADSPDSPAM State Chapter liaisons to NADSP• Bridget Siljander - DSPAM ChairBridget Siljander - DSPAM Chair• Lindsay Short - DSPAM Vice-ChairLindsay Short - DSPAM Vice-Chair

DSPAM members participate in NADSP CommitteesDSPAM members participate in NADSP Committees• Education and Training CommitteeEducation and Training Committee• Midwest Regional Development CommitteeMidwest Regional Development Committee

Direct Support Professional Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota Association of Minnesota

(DSPAM)(DSPAM) DSPAM Mission:DSPAM Mission:

DSPAM is dedicated to the development of a highly competent and DSPAM is dedicated to the development of a highly competent and professional human services workforce by supporting and working professional human services workforce by supporting and working together with DSPs, self-advocates, families, and allies.together with DSPs, self-advocates, families, and allies.

DSPAM Vision:DSPAM Vision:DSPAM has a vision in which all Minnesota DSPs-DSPAM has a vision in which all Minnesota DSPs- Are valued and respected in their communitiesAre valued and respected in their communities Receive livable wages and benefitsReceive livable wages and benefits Stay longer with their employersStay longer with their employers Complete one or more levels of a national DSP credentialing programComplete one or more levels of a national DSP credentialing program Collaborate on diverse projects with self-advocates, families, and allies.Collaborate on diverse projects with self-advocates, families, and allies. Use their leadership skills by presenting at conferences and training Use their leadership skills by presenting at conferences and training

events.events.

Direct Support Professional Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota Association of Minnesota

(DSPAM)(DSPAM) Board structure: Board structure:

7 member BOD: 3 DSPs, 1 self-advocate, 3 7 member BOD: 3 DSPs, 1 self-advocate, 3 highly-experienced leaders highly-experienced leaders

Infrastructure: Infrastructure: governance (articles of incorporation, by-laws)governance (articles of incorporation, by-laws) strategic planningstrategic planning leadership developmentleadership development communication with multiple stakeholders communication with multiple stakeholders

(state/local government, advocacy and self-(state/local government, advocacy and self-advocacy organizations, service providers, advocacy organizations, service providers, families/support networks, etc.)families/support networks, etc.)

Basis for conducting the E-ScanBasis for conducting the E-Scan Why would you want to poll DSPs?Why would you want to poll DSPs?

As a new board, we were interested in the primary As a new board, we were interested in the primary concerns of Direct Support Professionals.concerns of Direct Support Professionals.

To get firsthand information from DSPs about their To get firsthand information from DSPs about their work-related experiences.work-related experiences.

Provide an opportunity for DSPs to share their Provide an opportunity for DSPs to share their insight into some of the many issues they face, their insight into some of the many issues they face, their needs, and hopes for the future. needs, and hopes for the future.

Results will:Results will:• shape the DSPAM's strategic planning, priorities, goals, direction, shape the DSPAM's strategic planning, priorities, goals, direction,

and actionsand actions• strengthen collaboration among DSPs statewidestrengthen collaboration among DSPs statewide• develop progress on DSP workforce issues. develop progress on DSP workforce issues.

The extensive set of issues facing DSPs greatly The extensive set of issues facing DSPs greatly impacts the quality of life for DSPs and persons impacts the quality of life for DSPs and persons with disabilities alike with disabilities alike

Current DSPAM Critical IssuesCurrent DSPAM Critical Issues Internal or external issues. What is preventing us from getting to the Internal or external issues. What is preventing us from getting to the

world we want to see 3-5 years from now? What is our one issue world we want to see 3-5 years from now? What is our one issue that we will work on that will make a difference in the lives of DSPs that we will work on that will make a difference in the lives of DSPs in Minnesota? (external) in Minnesota? (external)

  How do we promote a sense of community and empowerment for How do we promote a sense of community and empowerment for DSPs? (internal) DSPs? (internal)

How will we finance the work in a sustained way? (internal) How will we finance the work in a sustained way? (internal) How do we fund the infrastructure to address critical issues?How do we fund the infrastructure to address critical issues?   How do we make our issues known to the Legislature from our How do we make our issues known to the Legislature from our

voices? (external)voices? (external)   How do we see to it that DSPs receive livable wages and benefits? How do we see to it that DSPs receive livable wages and benefits?

(external)(external)   Who will our partners be? (internal)Who will our partners be? (internal)   How do we find and keep members? (external) How do we find and keep members? (external)   Who’s going to do it? (internal)Who’s going to do it? (internal)

Working in PartnershipWorking in Partnership

Perceptions of goals Perceptions of goals

Relationships with stakeholdersRelationships with stakeholders

Role of provider organizationsRole of provider organizations

Tools for Creating PartnershipsTools for Creating Partnerships

DSPAM SurveyDSPAM Survey OutreachOutreach CollaborationCollaboration Engaging in general dialogueEngaging in general dialogue CreativityCreativity

What Works and ChallengesWhat Works and Challenges

What Works:What Works: Partnership and community investmentPartnership and community investment Board diversityBoard diversity Positive public imagePositive public image

Challenges:Challenges: DSPs in leadershipDSPs in leadership Limited time and energy of DSPsLimited time and energy of DSPs Membership recruitmentMembership recruitment

Practice and Policy ImplicationsPractice and Policy Implications

Empowering DSPs affects everyoneEmpowering DSPs affects everyone DSPs deserve betterDSPs deserve better Quality of support depends on status of Quality of support depends on status of

workforceworkforce System benefitsSystem benefits Policy reevaluation Policy reevaluation

ConclusionConclusion Professional associations Professional associations

Play a significant role in empowering DSPsPlay a significant role in empowering DSPs Have limitationsHave limitations Must interface with broader networkMust interface with broader network

DSPAM AccomplishmentsDSPAM Accomplishments 501 (c) (3) status501 (c) (3) status Held a DSP-focused conference, Broadening Horizons, in 2006Held a DSP-focused conference, Broadening Horizons, in 2006 Presented on the DSP Code of Ethics, which was developed by Presented on the DSP Code of Ethics, which was developed by

the NADSP, at ARRM conferences and various other the NADSP, at ARRM conferences and various other conferences throughout MNconferences throughout MN

In the process of strategic planning, facilitated by a noted In the process of strategic planning, facilitated by a noted consultantconsultant

Direct Support Professional Association of Direct Support Professional Association of MinnesotaMinnesota

E Scan FactsE Scan FactsCommissioned by the DSPAM Board of Commissioned by the DSPAM Board of

DirectorsDirectorsConducted from December 2007-April 2008Conducted from December 2007-April 2008Collected data from DSPs throughout Collected data from DSPs throughout

MinnesotaMinnesotaReceived support from our partners; MHC, Received support from our partners; MHC,

ARRM, Access Press, ICI, MCILARRM, Access Press, ICI, MCILOver 140 surveys returnedOver 140 surveys returned

Purpose of the E Purpose of the E ScanScan

““At first I was At first I was

nervous with the nervous with the

clients, but as I got clients, but as I got

to know them, I to know them, I

relaxed and enjoy relaxed and enjoy

them. They always them. They always

seem to appreciate seem to appreciate

everything I do for everything I do for

them.”them.”

To create a framework for the To create a framework for the

DSPAM Board of DirectorsDSPAM Board of Directors

Ask DSPs about their experiencesAsk DSPs about their experiences

Set priorities and projects for Set priorities and projects for

DSPAMDSPAM

Figure out how to navigate in the Figure out how to navigate in the

current landscape of Direct current landscape of Direct

Support in MinnesotaSupport in Minnesota

DemographicsDemographics

GenderGender75% Female75% Female23% Male23% Male

RaceRaceCaucasian 79%Caucasian 79%African Am./Black 9%African Am./Black 9%Asian 1%Asian 1%

AgeAge18-25 22%18-25 22%26-32 20%26-32 20%33-40 16%33-40 16%41-50 19%41-50 19%>51 18%>51 18%

LocationLocationTwin Cities 47%Twin Cities 47%Outstate 23% Outstate 23% (Rochester, Mankato, Moorhead, Duluth)(Rochester, Mankato, Moorhead, Duluth)Rural 22%Rural 22%

TenureTenure< 2 years 25%< 2 years 25%2-5 years 24%2-5 years 24%5-10 years 18%5-10 years 18%10+ years 31%10+ years 31%

EducationEducationHS Grad/GED 24%HS Grad/GED 24%Some College 30%Some College 30%AA Degree 12%AA Degree 12%College Graduate 26%College Graduate 26%Advanced Degree 2%Advanced Degree 2%

““I started just I started just

wanting a summer wanting a summer

job and fell in love job and fell in love

and have been and have been

working in the field working in the field

ever since.”ever since.”

What else did we ask?What else did we ask? Percentage of income your job providesPercentage of income your job provides

Number of children under age 21Number of children under age 21

Training experiencesTraining experiences

Wage, benefits, compensationWage, benefits, compensation

RespectRespect

Professional involvementProfessional involvement

BurnoutBurnout

Influences on staying in the fieldInfluences on staying in the field

Collective influenceCollective influence

Important Issues today and 5 years from nowImportant Issues today and 5 years from now

TrainingTraining

DSPs report they feel they have enough training DSPs report they feel they have enough training (83%).(83%).

DSPs report they primarily receive basic training such DSPs report they primarily receive basic training such as CPR, First Aid, VA, Medication monitoring, etc. as CPR, First Aid, VA, Medication monitoring, etc.

In most professions training can lead to increased In most professions training can lead to increased wages, competencies, and professional credibility. wages, competencies, and professional credibility.

“I feel we could use more in-depth nutrition training as well as more information on the different disorders of the population we serve.”

Wages & InsuranceWages & Insurance Over half of DSPs are not satisfied with their Over half of DSPs are not satisfied with their

wages (52%).wages (52%). 34% of DSPs said they are not satisfied with 34% of DSPs said they are not satisfied with

their health insurance.their health insurance. 82% reported they were offered insurance by 82% reported they were offered insurance by

they employer.they employer. But only 58% purchased the insurance, the But only 58% purchased the insurance, the

most common reason for declining coverage most common reason for declining coverage was cost.was cost.

As a DSP increases their education level, their As a DSP increases their education level, their satisfaction with their wage decreases. satisfaction with their wage decreases.

“Due to the fact I have worked for the agency for 20 years, the pay is poor.”

“I need wage increase. There are too many responsibilities for so little pay.”

“Due to population working with, no, I feel cheated. Pay should (increase) and so should health benefits. I think no amount of money could replace the care we give to our consumers. It is just that important. We are working with actual people and putting ourselves in harm's way physically and with our health only to defend the consumer.”

Motivation & RespectMotivation & RespectMost DSPs say the best thing about Most DSPs say the best thing about

their job is the relationships with the their job is the relationships with the clients (50%), and making a clients (50%), and making a difference (34%).difference (34%).

DSPs report they feel respected by DSPs report they feel respected by their clients and their coworkers.their clients and their coworkers.

However, DSPs report they don’t However, DSPs report they don’t feel respected by their communities, feel respected by their communities, and only some feel respected by and only some feel respected by their employers. their employers.

“I love my job. The guys (clients) that I work with are amazing.”

“I would like to see administration work in direct care. Have government officials see what we do.”

Connections with other DSPsConnections with other DSPs

““By working By working together to meet the together to meet the same goal they are same goal they are united in the same united in the same purpose and are purpose and are able to come able to come together in staff together in staff meetings to come meetings to come up with good plans.”up with good plans.”

DSPs report they usually DSPs report they usually connect through day to day connect through day to day interaction or at meetings.interaction or at meetings.

Generally DSPs do not have Generally DSPs do not have connections with other DSPs connections with other DSPs from other agencies or from other agencies or groups, like DSPAM.groups, like DSPAM.

Working as a DSP in some Working as a DSP in some settings can be very isolated. settings can be very isolated.

Collective InfluenceCollective Influence

““I'm not sure that there is I'm not sure that there is a systematic approach to a systematic approach to the issue. This is an area the issue. This is an area that needs to be that needs to be developed.”developed.”

““I think a trade group or a I think a trade group or a union might bring people union might bring people together. Our agency is together. Our agency is too small so there is not a too small so there is not a lot they can do. “lot they can do. “

““We're all in the same We're all in the same boat, a boat where we boat, a boat where we have no influence.”have no influence.”

Due to a lack of connections with Due to a lack of connections with each other, DSPs lack collective each other, DSPs lack collective influence.influence.

52% of DSPs report they participate 52% of DSPs report they participate in client meetings.in client meetings.

But less than half report they are But less than half report they are involved in program or policy involved in program or policy development.development.

Some DSPs did mention writing to Some DSPs did mention writing to Legislators.Legislators.

Few DSPs report that they had ever Few DSPs report that they had ever heard of DSPAM or NADSP.heard of DSPAM or NADSP.

Current & Future IssuesCurrent & Future Issues

Questions to ponder… Questions to ponder… How can you develop a quality DSP who has the longevity How can you develop a quality DSP who has the longevity

to stay long term when wages are low, insurance is high, to stay long term when wages are low, insurance is high, respect is limited, influence is none, and the future is respect is limited, influence is none, and the future is uncertain?uncertain?

If a DSPs dissatisfaction with their wage increases with If a DSPs dissatisfaction with their wage increases with more education, what’s the motivation to get more more education, what’s the motivation to get more training/education?training/education?

If DSPs have stated they are not involved within their If DSPs have stated they are not involved within their agencies and they have limited chance for promotion, how agencies and they have limited chance for promotion, how can you create buy in?can you create buy in?

If a DSP were paid an adequate wage, but had a limited If a DSP were paid an adequate wage, but had a limited chance for promotion would they be chance for promotion would they be more likely to stay?more likely to stay?

What do DSPs want in the future?What do DSPs want in the future?Here’s what they told us.Here’s what they told us.

Increased wagesIncreased wages Regular wage Regular wage

increasesincreases Affordable health Affordable health

insuranceinsurance Respect for the work Respect for the work

they dothey do Quality care for the Quality care for the

clients they supportclients they support

Stable staffingStable staffing Having their concerns Having their concerns

heard at all levels; heard at all levels; peer, agency, local, peer, agency, local, and state. and state.

Representation.Representation. A job they can feel A job they can feel

good about!good about!

What does this mean for DSPAM?What does this mean for DSPAM?

Stay tuned. DSPAM’s Stay tuned. DSPAM’s strategic plan is currently strategic plan is currently being developed. Check being developed. Check back with us often for back with us often for updates.updates.

www.nadsp.orgwww.nadsp.org

Thank you for your Thank you for your time today.time today.

Small Group DiscussionSmall Group Discussion

Facilitated Questions about Facilitated Questions about SurveySurvey

What was confirming about the results?What was confirming about the results? What surprised you?What surprised you? Is there a minority position that we have to Is there a minority position that we have to

pay attention to? (For example, an pay attention to? (For example, an important issue raised that was not important issue raised that was not addressed by a majority of respondents.)addressed by a majority of respondents.)

SharingSharing

Each group shares a few answers to each Each group shares a few answers to each questionquestion

Responses combinedResponses combined SummarySummary