#ForgottenFaces Campaign via ANCOR

Acknowledging those we've lost; working to ensure further lives are spared

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen tremendous losses in our communities. From the loss of loved ones, essential supports and livelihoods, many are hurting. The field of disability supports is among the hardest hit.

While some have received funding and access to PPE, many providers have been barely hanging on, and passed over with each agreement reached on Capitol Hill and in the halls of our federal agencies. We cannot let these #ForgottenFaces continue to go unrecognized.

To ensure these #ForgottenFaces do not remain forgotten, ANCOR is taking multiple steps, including continuing to collect data, lobbying members of Congress, and recognizing and sharing stories of the direct support professionals who are on the frontlines of this crisis.

These efforts and more comprise our #ForgottenFaces campaign, which officially kicks off today. Here's how you can get involved in this campaign to highlight, and advocate for, those who are being left behind by our federal government's response to the pandemic:

• Visit amplifier.ancor.org to use our one-click email tool to contact members of Congress directly, and demand to be included in the next COVID-19 relief bill.

• Read and share our new fiscal impact report, analyzed by Avalere, Impact of COVID-19 on Organizations Serving Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

• Schedule a meeting with your member(s) of Congress.

• Ask your member(s) of Congress to cosign an op-ed or letter to the editor, or write one addressing your members of Congress (email Doris Parfaite-Claude at dparfaite-claude@ancor.org to get started).

• Identify DSPs and/or people your organization supports who are willing to give firsthand accounts of their experiences and their needs.

• Use and share content on all social media platforms using hashtag #ForgottenFaces.

We know this is a challenging time, and we appreciate you taking the time to complete any of the above steps, and ones to come. It will take a far-reaching and multi-faceted media blitz to ensure that these #ForgottenFaces stop being overlooked.