Shortage of direct support workers called crisis
December 5th, 2008From the Wichita [Kansas] Eagle:
Agencies serving people with developmental disabilities in Wichita say they struggle to fill and retain direct support professionals in positions that pay just $8 or $9 an hour, or less than the pay at McDonald’s. They describe the situation as a crisis, and are pushing for more state funding.
A recent report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projected a nationwide shortage of direct support professionals. The study counted an estimated 874,000 full-time direct support workers in 2003, and said demand is expected to grow to 1.2 million in 2020 to meet the needs of an estimated 1.4 million people with developmental disabilities.

