Hello, my name is Tyshanna McKamie and I support adults with physical and developmental disabilities. I started working at The Phoenix Residence Inc. in 2001; the people I care for have become my second family through my years of service. My job as a House Supervisor is very rewarding because of the positive recognition I receive from coworkers and wonderful people I serve.
Knowing I matter and have such a big influence in a person’s life brings me great joy. When I come to work, seeing the happy faces and being missed on my days off is a wonderful feeling. I love the work that I do; helping people 'be the best they can be' in every aspect of their lives is something I live to do.
Part of my duty as House Supervisor includes working as a Direct Support Professional (DSP). In the 12 years I have been employed at The Phoenix Residence, the main challenge affecting me and my family is not receiving a pay increase. The last time I received a pay increase was seven years ago. With the increase in food, gas prices, health insurance, schooling, living expenses and daycare, people are forced to work two and three jobs just to maintain their living situations. Working multiple jobs puts a strain on people’s bodies - most who cannot afford the medical insurance to seek medical attention.
Here are some facts that I found in researching the impact of wages for Direct Support Professionals.
- DSPs are not making living wages. The majority of DSPs are dissatisfied with their wages and lists it as the most important issue facing their families.
- They cannot afford insurance coverage, even if it is offered by their employers.
- DSPs report they feel respected by their clients and coworkers. However, there is an overall lack of respect for our profession in the community.
- DSPs enable people with disabilities to live and work in community settings rather than more expensive institutional environments.
These findings paint a very clear picture of how difficult working as a DSP can be. For many, this is a career with significant limitations: low wages, expensive insurance, lack of respect, and lack of incentives to pursue educational opportunities. These challenges create an uninviting environment for our profession during a time in which our services are urgently needed. By not providing a rate increase further limits people to properly serve the people we care for with disabilities.
During the 2014 legislative session, I am urging you to protect the interests of over 90,000 direct support professionals and caregivers serving Minnesota citizens and families. Specifically:
Please support a rate increase for home and community based services. The only time most DSPs get raises is when the legislature authorizes a rate increase for their employers. The current economic crisis impacts DSPs tremendously. For those of us with little or no discretionary income, the only places we can cut are food, child care, housing, and transportation. We have no cushion!
Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Tyshanna McKamie
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