Media Alert Template - National Advocacy Campaign

MEDIA ALERT
Rally At City Hall to Mark
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week
What: For the sixth consecutive year, the U.S. Senate has proclaimed Direct Support
Professional Recognition Week, September 8 – 14, 2013. The Abilities First agency is
organizing a public rally on the steps of city hall to be held on Wednesday, September 11,
2013 at 2 p.m.
Who: Mayor Tim Cratchett and other community leaders are scheduled to speak at the rally to
honor the service of Direct Support Professionals, the frontline workers who deliver the services
that support people with disabilities as they live, work and recreate in the communities of their
choosing.
Why: U.S. Senate Resolution 208, sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ben Cardin
(D-MD), proclaims National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week September 8 – 14,
2013.
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are essential to providing long-term supports and services
depended upon by people with disabilities, yet there is a severe shortage. High turnover and low
wages wreak havoc with these dedicated workers and compromise the continuity of services for
our most vulnerable citizens, people with developmental disabilities.
As part of the Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week celebration, we are calling
attention to and honoring these dedicated and skilled workers for their service to the community.
Who Should Attend: Direct Support Professionals, disability services and advocacy
organizations, people with disabilities, their families and allies in the community.
*photo opportunities available*
When: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Where: City Hall [address]
Media Contact
Name
Phone
Email
Website

About Your Organization A few sentences to describe your organization. Useful facts to
include might be the length of time you’ve been in existence, the types of supports you offer, the
communities (i.e., cities and counties) you serve.
About ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign
Launched in 2001, the mission of ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign (NAC) is to enhance
the lives of people with disabilities by obtaining the resources to recruit, train and retain a
sustainable direct support workforce. The NAC provides a voice for the direct support workforce
to create a national policy to address the workforce shortage and financing issues. It aims to
secure adequate public funding to provide competitive wages and benefits for DSPs, and
promote the value that people with disabilities and those who support them bring to their
communities.
About ANCOR
The American Network of Community Options and Resources is a national trade association
representing more than 800 private providers of community living and employment supports and
services to more than 400,000 individuals with disabilities. As a nonprofit organization, ANCOR
successfully addresses the needs and interests of private providers before Congress and federal
agencies, continually advocating for the crucial role private providers play in enhancing and
supporting the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Through its National Advocacy
Campaign, ANCOR seeks to obtain the resources to recruit, train and retain a sustainable direct
support workforce. ANCOR provides organization, professional, leadership development and
networking opportunities and services, and is continually working toward partnerships and
collaborations that advance our vision, mission and goals. Our prime goal is to be the
indispensable leader, resource and advocate for a diverse private disability services network that
ensures full citizenship and engaged community participation for people with disabilities of all
ages. www.ancor.org.