We need your help to encourage North Carolina legislators to support a current bill, HB665 (House version)/SB610 (Senate version), which would raise wages for Direct Support Professionals working in Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) in North Carolina. To learn more about this bill, visit ncleg.gov/BillLookUp and type SB610 or HB665 into the search bar.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RAISE DSP PAY?
As many of you know firsthand, the relationships between DSPs and the people they support are very meaningful, and establishing consistency and trust in those relationships is extremely important. High DSP turnover and vacancy rates impact the independence and opportunities experienced by people supported.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to the National Core Indicators Staff Stability Survey (using 2018 data), the national average yearly turnover rate for DSPs is 51.3%. This lack of stability in the DSP role results in a lack of consistency in the relationships between DSPs and those they support.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Right now, the North Carolina legislature is considering a bill that would raise wages for DSPs working in Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs), HB665 (House version)/SB610 (Senate version). We are asking that you contact your state representative and senator by phone or email to encourage them to support this bill.
Don’t delay! This bill is being considered now for the legislative session that ends July 2. Please reach out to your legislators by the end of May to make sure they know that their constituents care about and support this bill. Instructions for how to find contact information for your legislators and a sample script are provided below.
SAMPLE SCRIPT
Hello,
I live in [COUNTY] and am a constituent of [REPRESENTATIVE NAME]. I am calling to ask them to support [HB665/SB610]. I am [A DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL -OR- A FAMILY MEMBER/GUARDIAN OF A PERSON WITH IDD WHO RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS].
Competitive wages for DSPs are very important to stabilize the DSP workforce and to improve the quality and consistency of care for people living with a disability. Recruiting and retaining qualified direct support personnel are critical to the delivery of quality, effective support services, it is important that the hourly wages paid to direct care personnel be competitive.
Thank you,
[NAME]
How to Find Your Legislators’ Contact Information
- Go to: ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators
- To search using your address, enter your street address (not a P.O. Box) in the By Address section of the web page and hit Enter or click on your address in the drop-down menu. Here, we’re using RHA’s Asheville office address as an example.
- You will then see results for your address, including your US House, NC House, and NC Senate representatives. To view the specific contact information for your NC House or NC Senate representative, click on their name.
