Policy Papers
NADSP Policy Papers
- A Synthesis of Direct Service Workforce Demographics and Challenges Across Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Aging, Physical Disabilities, and Behavioral Health - This paper provides an overview of the direct support workforce challenges across disability sectors and it provides a call or action regarding these issues that is agreed upon and applicable across disability sectors. This paper was developed as an activity of the national DSW Resource Center that is funded by CMS. (2008)
- Using Medicaid Home and Community Based Services or ICF/MR Funding to Pay for Direct Support Staff Training and Credentialing Programs - Many states are facing significant challenges in assuring the availability of sufficient numbers of direct support practitioners with adequate professional preparation to promote the health and well-being of Medicaid recipients. To meet these challenges, some states are investing in the development of educational, training and credentialing programs for the direct support workforce to create career paths and retention incentives for new and incumbent workers. A persistent barrier to implementing effective workforce development programs is the ability for states, and human services organizations to pay for training programs and related wage incentives. One promising strategy to confront this challenge is the structuring of Medicaid reimbursement rates to support the human resource development interventions essential to a stable and competent workforce. (2009)
Other Policy Papers/Resources
- Presenting Public Testimony: You Know More than They Do! Its Just a Matter of Getting Your Point Across - A helpful guide for preparing and presenting testimony at a public hearing.
- Making Your Case - Developed by The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, this is an online self-study course designed to help people with developmental disabilities and their families create positive change through advocacy. Also available is a downloadable print version of the course.
State Policy Papers
Alaska
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Arizona
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Arkansas
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Connecticut
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Florida
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Georgia
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Illinois
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Kansas
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Louisiana
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Maine
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Massachusetts
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Michigan
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Minnesota
DSPAM PCA Testimony
Bridget Siljander, President of the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) testified before the Minnesota legislature about legislation and budget recommendations affecting PCAs. Read her testimony in the following documents:
Testimony supporting a PCA training bill (PDF)
Testimony opposing proposed budget cuts to PCA services (PDF)
Testimony supporting a PCA training bill (PDF)
Testimony opposing proposed budget cuts to PCA services (PDF)
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Mississippi
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Missouri
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Nebraska
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
New Hampshire
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
New Jersey
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
New Mexico
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
New York
DSPANYS Budget Testimony
On January 29th, Theresa Laws a Direct Support Professional from the Rensselaer County ARC, and a founder of DSPANYS, provided testimony to the joint New York State Senate & Assembly Finance Committees. For the first time ever, legislators heard directly from a direct support professional in regard to budget and policy issues in a public forum.
View/Download a copy of the testimony (PDF)
View/Download a copy of the testimony (PDF)
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Ohio
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Pennsylvania
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Tennessee
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
Texas
Your state affiliate has no posted policy initiatives or documents.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.
If you have an idea for state level initiatives contact your state affiliate. Feel free to look at what others are doing and think about how you may be able to replicate the activities in your state.