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Community Options Advocates for DSP Wages and Policy Reform at Tennessee State Capitol

March 04, 2025

Tennessee legislators and members of Community Options met at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 to discuss the role that direct support professionals play in supporting people with disabilities. Among the topics discussed was the urgent need for an increase in wages and the ongoing issue of reimbursement rates.

In January 2025, State Sen. Becky Massey, introduced a bill to create an advisory task force that will ensure that reimbursement rates are adequate to support essential staff salaries and administrative costs, as well as addressing the healthcare workforce shortage. Additionally, the task force will make recommendations on annual adjustments to rates paid to agencies that perform healthcare functions and services. The task force will consist of six members appointed by legislative leadership (three from the House and three from the Senate), representing different health-related professions, and four ex officio non-voting members from state agencies.

The bill is scheduled for a vote in the Tennessee Senate this month, marking a critical step toward strengthening the DSP workforce and enhancing services for individuals with disabilities.

State Sen. Adam Lowe (R-TN-1), and Mercedes Owens (Community Options, Inc.) at the Tennessee State Capitol on March 4, 2025, engaging in discussions on policies affecting people with disabilities and the direct support workforce.
State Sen. Adam Lowe (R-TN-1), and Mercedes Owens (Community Options, Inc.) at the Tennessee State Capitol on March 4, 2025, engaging in discussions on policies affecting people with disabilities and the direct support workforce.
Denarius Stinson (Community Options, Inc.), State Rep. Greg Martin (R-TN-26), and Mercedes Owens (Community Options, Inc.) at the Tennessee State Capitol on March 4, 2025, discussing legislative initiatives impacting people with disabilities and the direct support workforce.
Denarius Stinson (Community Options, Inc.), State Rep. Greg Martin (R-TN-26), and Mercedes Owens (Community Options, Inc.) at the Tennessee State Capitol on March 4, 2025, discussing legislative initiatives impacting people with disabilities and the direct support workforce.
Denarius Stinson (Community Options, Inc.), State Rep. Yusuf Hakeem (D-TN-28), Mercedes Owens (Community Options, Inc.) and Antonio Ferguson (Community Options, Inc.) at the Tennessee State Capitol on March 4, 2025, discussing policies impacting people with disabilities and the direct support professionals who serve them.
Denarius Stinson (Community Options, Inc.), State Rep. Yusuf Hakeem (D-TN-28), Mercedes Owens (Community Options, Inc.) and Antonio Ferguson (Community Options, Inc.) at the Tennessee State Capitol on March 4, 2025, discussing policies impacting people with disabilities and the direct support professionals who serve them.
Mercedes Owens (Community Options, Inc.), State Rep. Greg Vital (R-TN-29), Jesse Nash (Easterseals Tennessee), and Cathy Greland (Easterseals Tennessee) at the Tennessee State Capitol on March 4, 2025, advocating for increased DSP wages and improved reimbursement rates.
Mercedes Owens (Community Options, Inc.), State Rep. Greg Vital (R-TN-29), Jesse Nash (Easterseals Tennessee), and Cathy Greland (Easterseals Tennessee) at the Tennessee State Capitol on March 4, 2025, advocating for increased DSP wages and improved reimbursement rates.