Economic Impact Study
Today, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and The Arc of North Carolina released a study, A Report on the Economic Impact of the IDD Community, examining the effects of the limited number of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and how it impacts people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
“This study shows the impact that DSPs make in our community. Without them, many people with disabilities and their families would be isolated and unable to live in the community of their choice,” said John Nash, Executive Director, The Arc of North Carolina.
Many people living with IDD rely on DSPs every day for basic tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, and transportation. All these tasks are critical for people with IDD leading productive lives. DSPs fulfill a critical role, and yet they are not well compensated. Providers and care management agencies are competing with businesses, such as Starbucks or Target, willing to pay the same or more per hour, offer benefits, and management opportunities.
The study was created in collaboration with Dr. Jeremy Bray and Emefa Buaka, a team from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. It highlights a greater need for solutions to multiple problems including lack of increased pay rates, lack of services funded, limited career path for DSPs, and the need for more Innovations waiver services/slots to be funded.