State officials will soon create a registry of direct support professionals — or DSPs — who provide in-home care to people with mental and developmental disabilities. The goal is to track abuse and neglect. Advocates say the registry only partly addresses systemic issues that harm workers and clients alike. They say "self-directed care" may be a fuller solution.

State officials will soon create and implement a registry of direct support professionals (DSP) who provide in-home care to people with mental and developmental disabilities. The goal is to use the new system to begin tracking allegations of abuse and neglect by DSPs.

The new law, HEA 1342, is a hard-fought victory for the bill’s author and supporters.

But some disabled advocates, like Loren Pilcher, say it only partly addresses systemic issues that can harm workers and clients alike. Pilcher is a key strategic consultant for Disability Revolution, a disability consulting firm “ delivering equitable, inclusive, comprehensive solutions” to nonprofits, small businesses, corporations and government entities.

“Disabled people need to be in the driver's seat, not a provider, not a loved one. They need to be directing their own care,” Pilcher said.

Pilcher used to hire DSPs in his former role as chief operating officer of a southern Indiana care provider agency. He also often worked as a DSP for that agency “because of the staffing shortage.”

It goes beyond DSPs: certified nursing assistants, personal care aides and...

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