Twilia Jones believes it is in her blood to help people. She attributes this desire to her late mother who ran a daycare her entire life. And now, the torch has been passed along to Twilia.

What is a Direct Support Professional?
For the past ten years, Twilia has been a direct support professional for Chimes, one of the nation’s largest providers in the field of developmental disabilities. ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources) describes Direct Support Professionals as “healthcare professionals who provide ‘hands on’ daily supports and training services to persons with developmental and physical disabilities.”

The profession allows people with disabilities to function within a community. “This kind of work can be challenging and rewarding, but the wages don’t compare reasonably to other opportunities in the human service industry.” says Marty Lampner, Chief Administration Officer for Chimes.

According to Twilia, the money isn’t the reason Direct Support Professionals stay dedicated to their jobs. “It is hard to show how great this profession can be without the economic side,” says Lampner.
 
Who Can Be a Direct Support Professional?
She acknowledges that to have the ability to become a Direct Support Professional an individual needs to be a people person, caring, and emotionally strong.

Twilia proclaims, “If you are human you learn to love these ladies as if they were your own family.”

Twilia, like many, knows that it is hard to live on Direct Support Professional wages. Some Direct Support Professionals have to supplement their income with other part-time work.

Attempt to Increase Wages
A national effort is currently being made through ANCOR and many of its providers to raise the wages for 874,000 DSPs in the industry. Critical mass is the key according to Lampner. “ANCOR is an outlet to match our voices with others that will match Chimes power.”

 “The Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Bill, now before Congress, would take important steps to ensure that Direct Support Professionals are able to stay in their jobs and provide their services,” says ANCOR. The bill is designed to benefit funding streams that provide wages for Direct Support Professionals.

“If the bill is passed, there is a greater opportunity to attract and retain the most dedicated people, like Twilia, that work at Chimes,” says Lampner.

Effect of Wages
“With 4.3 million people with disabilities in America and only 874,000 Direct Support Professionals there are a large number of people going without any help,” says You Need to Know Me, a network for the National Advocacy Campaign. The demand for Direct Support Professionals is growing, but the reality is that wages in some states don’t equal the national poverty level.

According to a wage study published by ANCOR, North Carolina and Michigan have the lowest average salaries for an entering Direct Support Professional. The states’ averages are $14,560, which is $3,040 below the national poverty level equaling $17,600!

Dedication and Commitment
Twilia and many other Direct Support Professionals continue fighting for wages because they have a passion for helping others.

Because of Twilia’s dedication she has been nominated by Chimes to be a candidate for the 2009 ANCOR Direct Support Professional of the Year Award.