WhoWillCare.net Blog

The WhoWillCare.net Campaign is Back in Action!

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:21:43 PST

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.Take Action 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. Has your representative co-sponsored H.R. 868 yet? Follow this link to find out. Already a co-sponsor? Follow this link to thank your representative.

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

Congressman Capps and Terry Reintroduce H.R. 1279 from 110th Congress as H.R. 868

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:02:29 PST

Hey everyone, 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. In fact, her office released a press release about it, Capps, Terry Reintroduce Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act of 2009. Please take a look and help spread the word about the new bill number. Thanks.

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

131 Co-Sponsors!

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:47:11 PST

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

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

A Rally to Remember: The 2008 DSP to DC Event

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:07:06 PDT

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." YouTube: DSP to DC Event 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...

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

DSP to DC Event Rally Today at the Capitol Building

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:37:57 PDT

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.

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

Visit UCPeople - Disability and the DNC

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:39:15 PDT

Hey there everyone, 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. Thanks.

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

Calling All DSPs - Rally in Washington September 9!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:42:11 PDT

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. Click here to register. 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!

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

DSP TV Online Posted Videos

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:32:38 PDT

Greetings everyone, Here are a couple videos posted on the DSP TV Online video contest. The contest ends on June 15th, so please submit your video today.Channel: Healthy Living Author: Paul D. Graber Channel: Reality Author: Jennifer Jackson Channel: Reality Author: Kris Godby Channel: Reality Author: Chad Ek

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

120 co-sponsors!

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:56:22 PDT

Rep Sires, Albio (NJ-13) is the latest to add his name to the list of co-sponsors on May 13, 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.

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

Washington Watch

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:52:01 PDT

So I was digging around today for more resources that we could provide to you, the reader of our blog. It turns out that there is a wikipedia (or wiki for short) built around various bills on Capitol Hill. It is at WashingtonWatch.com. The page surrounding H.R. 1279 is at http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/trackback/110_HR_1279.html. I encourage you to check it out. I have embedded the feed from this page below, so we all can follow what is happening there.Post this to your blog or Web page!

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

119 and counting!

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:55:42 PDT

Representative Paul Hodes (D-NH) signed on as a co-sponsor on May 6th. This is yet another reason to let your friends know about the work we are doing to help get H.R. 1279 the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act passed. Please tell your friends about the WhoWillCare.net Web site and ask them to participate in sending a letter to their representative.

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

118 Co-Sponsors!!!

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:22:02 PDT

Representative David Price (NC-4) becomes the latest to add their name to the list of co-sponsors supporting H.R. 1279 making it a total of 118 co-sponsors. This is exciting. Your hard work, dedication and determination to ensure that Congress works to address the plight of Direct Support Professionals (DSP) hasn't gone unnoticed. Please, continue to spread the word and tell others to take action today in support of the DSP and people with disabilities.

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

DSP TV Online Contest

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:39:24 PDT

Powered by The DSP TV Online contest, in partnership with ANCOR's Advocacy project YouNeedToKnowMe.org is open to anyone. Videos must be about the direct support workforce. The objective is to have Direct Support Professionals, people with disabilities, families, providers and supporters/advocates to tell the story of the direct support workforce in their voice — why is the workforce so important, why are DSPs so deserving of additional compensation and how are DSPs Making a Difference? Use the link on the TV above to apply or visit the YouNeedToKnowMe Web site for more information. Due to increased interest and participation in the DSP TV Online video contest, we have extended the entry deadline to June 15th! Enter Today!Certain contest rules and conditions apply.

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.

Welcome to the WhoWillCare.net Blog

noreply@blogger.com (UCP eCoordinator) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:49:00 PDT

As those of us who administer the WhoWillCare.net Web site got to thinking, it became clear to us that we need to create a community around the issue of the Direct Support Professional workforce. We thought about various opportunities and none were clearer to us than working to get feedback and participation from the WhoWillCare.net community. The purpose of this blog is for you, the advocate, the caregiver, the Direct Support Professional and the person with a disability, the professional, the administrator, the American citizen. We want you to interact and engage in discussion with those around you and those who are committed to the cause of solving the Direct Support Professional workforce wage crisis. With your help we can help pass legislation, raise awareness and find new ways to shed light on this problem. We want to hear from you. What is your story that should be heard? If you have a video about it, please comment and supply a link. Please share your story so that we all might learn collectively how to engage this issue on a grassroots level. Please, post your comments today!

This is only a summary of this feed, visit WhoWillCare.net or http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com today for more information about the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce wage crisis.