• Learn more about Rate Study Results
  
• Review the Final Report of the Senate Study Committee on People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Waiver Plan Access (SR 770):

To be most effective in our advocacy, GA DSP COUNCIL leads on 2-3 priority areas each session, while also supporting our partner organizations in their efforts. The following 2024 Policy Agenda is based on DSP input, and in support of Direct Support Professionals throughout the state or Georgia:

GA DSP COUNCIL 2024 Public Policy Priorities

• Increasing direct support professional (DSP) wages to address the staffing crisis. Professionals who support Georgians with developmental disabilities need to be paid a livable wage.
• Creating an established Standard Operating Class (SOC) for Direct Support Professional (DSP)  with the Department of Labor. A SOC is designated by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics. With the insight gathered through a SOC, governmental agencies, individual organizations, and everyday citizens can uncover otherwise unavailable information about that occupation. The Standard Occupational Classification for a Certified Nursing Assistant is 31-1014. The SOC for a Home Health Aide is 31-1121. The SOC for a Personal Care Aide is 31-1122. Direct Support Professionals do not have one.

• Establish a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for waiver reimbursement services, so that those making the least, don’t have to shoulder more of the burden than everyone else.  This would at the least assure that rates, regardless of where they are today, will adjust with inflation and other COL factors moving forward. How does SSA handle COLA?