The Importance of Fair Funding for I/DD Providers

One of the hottest topics surrounding the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) space is adequate funding for those who deliver care. These heroes, called direct support professionals, or DSPs, play a big role in making sure people with I/DD get the support they need to live their best lives.

DSPs are the superheroes of the I/DD world. They’re the ones who spend time with individuals, helping them with daily tasks, providing companionship, and making sure they’re safe and happy. But here’s the thing: these superheroes need our help now more than ever.

Unfortunately, many I/DD providers don’t get enough funding to pay their DSPs fairly or provide them with the training and resources they need to do their jobs well. This lack of proper funding has a big impact on the people who rely on these services.

Imagine you’re a DSP. You want to do your best to help the individuals you work with, but you’re not getting paid enough to make ends meet. You might have to work long hours or even take on multiple jobs just to pay your bills. This can lead to burnout and exhaustion, making it harder for you to give your all to the people who need you most.

Not only that, but without enough funding, I/DD providers can’t afford to give their DSPs the training they need to support individuals with complex needs. This means that these professionals might not have the skills or knowledge necessary to provide the best possible care. It’s like trying to build a house without the right tools – it just doesn’t work as well.

But it’s not just the DSPs who suffer when funding is lacking – it’s the individuals with I/DD too. When providers can’t afford to pay their staff properly or invest in training and resources, the quality of care suffers. This means that individuals with I/DD might not get the support they need to live fulfilling lives in their communities. It’s not fair to them, and it’s not fair to the people who care for them.

So, what can we do to help? We can start by raising awareness about the importance of fair funding for I/DD providers. We can advocate for policies that ensure providers receive adequate reimbursement rates for the services they provide. And we can support organizations that work tirelessly to improve the lives of individuals with I/DD and the DSPs who support them.

At TMP, we offer an I/DD software built by providers, for providers, and are constant advocates for better reimbursement rates and care standards in the I/DD community. Our Founder, Larry Hill, operates numerous I/DD and ISS programs in the state of Texas, so we know what works, what doesn’t, and where we need to improve as a country.

For instance, simply switching from a paper-documentation system to an electronic system, like TMP offers, can save providers substantial operating costs (60%+ in most cases), which allows them to leverage labor savings back into their workforce, paying better wages, providing better training and resources, and so on. In short, the right system will help you do more with less.

By coming together and speaking up for fair funding, we can make sure that direct support professionals have the resources they need to do their jobs well, and that individuals with I/DD receive the support they deserve to thrive. Together, we can make a difference.

Tim Strombel is the Marketing Director at TaskMaster Pro.