Points of Transformation Awards

   
 

David Williams, Habilitation Spec., CommunityTrans. Program, PDDC

Kristine M. Young, In-Home Supports Coord. Catholic Social
Services

 Hattie Jean Washington, Resident Advisor ll, Greenwich Services Alisa Bowman,
Community Integrated Coordinator, JEVS		  

Vincenia Ferguson, Residential Skills Counselor, PATH

Award for Christine Rue, Employment Consultant, PATH, accepted by Alan Erlich (shown)



Lorraine Ballard Morrill, Pwer 99 Radio News and Public Affairs Director was the event's Emcee
Points of Transformation Awards were presented on March 15, 2002, to fourteen Direct Support Professionals on the front lines who are helping transform the lives of people with mental retardation, enabling them to follow their dreams and contribute to the community. Dedicated
Direct Support Professionals are crucial to the success of people with developmental disabilities becoming part of the community, gainfully employed, enjoying family and friends, practicing their faith and contributing their gifts. These are the unsung heroes who often receive little recognition and inadequate compensation. They are crucial to the success of the States plan to end the waiting list and transform
the mental retardation system.

The second annual Points of Transformation Awards was held to continue to keep the crisis of recruitment and retention of quality front-line staff on the front burner. What is the problem? The crisis in staffing caused by low salaries leads to severe shortages of staff for community MR programs. High vacancy and turnover rates (50 to 125%) create inefficiencies and drain resources through use of overtime and temporary workers. Quality of care is directly affected. The MH/MR Coalition, representing
providers, advocacy groups, and counties in Pennsylvania, calculated last year that $100 million over two years will address the historic under-funding of MR salaries. (In Philadelphia, Direct Support Professionals earn only 48% of what other workers earn.)

Last year, there was some success in addressing this issue. The Governor included an additional $17.5 million in his FY 2001-2002 budget to address direct support worker recruitment and retention. Philadelphia received approximately $5 million to be divided among more than 5,000 direct support workers and front line supervisors in both MH and MR residential and day/vocational programs. The largest amount of funds will be directed to staff making less than $8.50 per hour. Where are we now? The proposed budget for FY 2002-2003 carries forward the $17.5 million awarded statewide in last years budget, but has no new money for recruitment and retention. An additional $65 million is needed to assure Qualified Staff The Link to Quality.

Meanwhile dedicated Direct Support Professionals, continue to support people with mental retardation to develop their abilities and lead productive lives.

MRS Director Kathy Sykes (left) and MRS Director of Operations, Larry Pace made the award presentations - here to.

  

Jessica Heart, Residential Skills Trainer, PATH
 

Mary MacAvoy, MR Case Manager, FDSS Coordinator, PATH

Sonia Fonseca, Habilitation Specialist, PDDC
     
  Bedelia D. Williams,
Day Support Counselor, TAIG		 Kimberly Williamson, Community Support Counselor, Horizon House Carolyn Allen, Residential Counselor, JEVS Darlene Gonzalez,
FDSS Coordinator, Consortium		 Liz Naudascher,  Associate Program Specialist, KenCCID    

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