Struggling Workers in Delaware's Disability Services Fight Against Inadequate Compensation

In Delaware, direct support professionals (DSPs) like Angela Hendrickson, who works at Autism Delaware's POW&R program, play a critical role in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. From coaching them on jobs to monitoring their health needs, DSPs are more than just caregivers; they teach essential life skills and problem-solving abilities.

However, despite the vital role they play, DSPs are paid close to minimum wage in Delaware. The state reimbursement rate for DSP wages is $15 an hour, with most providers paying slightly more - around $17 to $18 an hour. This is less than what some retail or warehouse jobs may offer, leading to high turnover rates among DSPs.

According to a national workforce study, nearly 40% of DSPs in Delaware leave their jobs each year. Verna Hensley, vice president of public affairs at Easterseals Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore, emphasises the need for regular refreshing of rates to accurately reflect the cost of doing business in the state.

Jody Roberts, director of the Division of Developmental Disability Services, mentions the McNesby Act, which requires Delaware to update its funding rates every few years based on the cost of care. A new rate study is expected to be finalized this fall, offering a fresh look at the state of the DSP workforce.

The instability in the DSP workforce disrupts care for individuals with disabilities who rely on it. Some agencies in Delaware report vacancy rates of 10% for full-time positions and 20% for part-time roles. This turnover is particularly challenging for individuals like Hendrickson, who supports people with complex needs. One of the individuals she supports has high diabetic needs, requiring frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels and adjustments to calorie intake or exercise. Another individual she supports has epilepsy, and she has addressed him during seizure episodes.

For Hendrickson, the state's delays in increased funding and workforce shortage impact her daily life. She lives in a motel that she can barely afford and shares a room with her children, lacking privacy and personal space. Hendrickson advocates for better funding and improved wages for DSPs in Delaware, highlighting the need for stronger investment to address workforce shortages and improve living conditions for these essential workers.

Whilst there is no direct listing of specific sponsors supporting Delaware direct support professionals (DSPs) on the WHYY News website, where Hendrickson appears to have shared her story, it is a nonprofit organisation reliant on financial support from readers. Hendrickson's advocacy serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in DSPs, not just for their own wellbeing, but for the people with disabilities they support and the community as a whole.

Struggling Workers in Delaware's Disability Services Fight Against Inadequate Compensation