Browsing by Author "Hewitt, Amy"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    The Direct Support Workforce and COVID-19: Low Wages and Racial Disparities
    (2022) Pettingell, Sandra; Bershadsky, Julie; Kramme, Julie; Hewitt, Amy; Smith, Jerry
    There is a critical shortage of direct support pro­fessionals (DSPs) who support people with intel­lectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live in the community. This shortage has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. DSPs support people in a variety of areas (e.g., employment, daily living, relationships, and health) and their work involves a high level of skill. However, the high-skilled and varied nature of this work is not reflected in DSPs’ wages, which remain low. A high level of responsibility for providing supports to people with significant support needs paired with low wages has likely contributed to the high turnover (42.8%) and vacancy rates (11.2%) of this workforce (NCI, 2020). Using a national sample of the direct support workforce, we examined racial differences in wages, annual household income, and extra hours worked during the pandemic. Significant differences were found for all outcomes. These issues are important as they affect staff well-being and retention which are important regarding services and supports provided to individuals with intellectual disabilities receive. Policy recommendations to address these disparities are provided.
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    How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted direct support professionals across the United States?
    (2022) Kramme, Julie; Pettingell, Sandra; Bershadsky, Julie; Hewitt, Amy; Smith, Jerry
    In March 2020, many businesses, schools, and organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) closed their doors or changed how they operated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Direct support professionals (DSPs) continued to work but in different ways or different places. DSPs are interdisciplinary professionals who provide complex and essential supports to individuals with IDD, making community inclusion a reality. Many stories emerged of the significant challenges in providing supports safely to individuals with IDD during the pandemic. Staff from the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals knew it was important to hear directly from DSPs and frontline supervisors about their experiences. In response, we developed a series of three surveys that were completed by over 18,000 respondents from across the country. The findings from these surveys provide critical information about DSP experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, DSP experiences are informing effective policy and practice decisions about what is needed. These findings help better prepare for potential future waves of this or other pandemics. Key findings will be presented as well as highlighting responsive outreach activities.
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    In-Home and Residential Long-Term Supports and Services for Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: Status and Trends Through 2012
    (2014) Larson, Sheryl; Hallas-Muchow, Libby; Hewitt, Amy; Pettingell, Sandy; Anderson, Lynda
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    Residential Services for Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: Status and Trends Through 2011
    (2013) Larson, Sheryl; Salmi, Patricia; Smith, Drew; Anderson, Lynda; Hewitt, Amy
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    Supporting Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families: Status and Trends Through FY 2012
    (2014) Larson, Sheryl; Hallas-Muchow, Libby; Hewitt, Amy; Anderson, Lynda; Pettingell, Sandy