Advocacy

THE FIGHT FOR A FAIR BUDGET

The health and safety of the people who choose our services are compromised when there is a lack of financial investment in wages for our staff members. This is the first step in an adverse chain reaction, as it forces people to consider other career choices which makes it harder for provider agencies to ensure there is adequate staffing. Severe staffing shortages have left nonprofit agencies struggling to maintain their programs and provide high-quality care that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve.

The New York State budget for 2024-25 took steps in the right direction, but there is still work to be done. The 2025-26 state budget will be crucial as we continue to reverse a decade’s worth of subpar investment in our industry.

Here are some of the things we are advocating for:

• A 7.8% Medicaid rate increase to cover the true cost of care, which includes food and transportation costs, medical supplies, professional development for staff members and more.
• The creation of a Wage Commission to set a living wage that allows for greater self-sufficiency for direct support professionals, which would improve recruitment and retention rates.
• Enhanced capital funding, which could be used to modernize program sites, reduce environmental impact, and ensure sustainable care settings for the future.

These are more than simple budget requests. With these additions to the 2025-26 state budget, our state government can demonstrate its commitment to providing a stable care system that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve and to the advancement of direct support professionals.

For more information on what our industry needs, visit NYdisabilityAdvocates.com.

Changing the Narrative

Care professionals are the familiar faces working in certified residential programs, hospitals, nursing homes and in-home care who we trust to support our loved ones. Even the most organized and comprehensive care plans are useless without our frontline support professionals. Care plans are lived out by the hands and hearts that support the person in each step of their daily routine.

The establishment of a federal occupation code would recognize and advance the direct support profession as a career, and assist research efforts to develop better policies that address workforce challenges and ensure direct support professionals receive the recognition they need to provide high-quality care.

“There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.” – Rosalyn Carter

INVEST

Continuous investment in the education and upward mobility of frontline care professionals will ensure career growth for frontline professionals. We can also advocate for the establishment of a Wage Commission, which would support efforts to provide care workers with wages that allow for greater self-sufficiency. We also continue to support the establishment of a new Direct Support Wage Enhancement, which would provide agencies with a funding allocation of $4,000 per eligible employee.

Get involved and take action

Now is the time to reach out to your elected officials, especially majority members, and demand a 7.8% Medicaid funding increase, a federal occupation code for direct support professionals, a direct support wage enhancement capital funding to support the programs offered by care providers and the establishment of a wage commission. Please note in your email if you are one of their constituents. The buttons below will assist you with finding your representative, and crafting your message to them.

If email or electronic correspondence is better for you, visit the New York Alliance For Inclusion And Innovation’s Government Action Center by clicking HERE. One click will make a big difference.

Other advocacy opportunities

For more information check out these resources:

https://www.ancor.org/capitol-correspondence/senate-passes-recognizing-the-role-of-direct-support-professionals-act/
https://www.ancor.org/actions/call-on-congress-to-recognize-direct-support-professionals/

Help Share the Importance of the Services Your Loved One May Receive and the Part That Direct Support Roles Play In Those Services

• Write to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form.
• Join forces with a local advocacy group, e.g. The Family Advocates, the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY) or the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS).
• Share our publications and the information that we post on social media.
• Talk to others about the importance of our work and about the need for advocacy.

In addition, Heritage Christian Services supports initiatives that:

• Enhance the opportunity for diverse, inclusive, equitable community experiences rich with meaningful relationships
• Ensure introduction and access to high-quality care professionals
• Increase the number of people who have meaningful employment in our community
• Increase access to accessible, affordable, quality housing
• Improve the availability and quality of transportation services

Together, we will ensure a community that respects the work of our agency and care professionals. With that respect, we will elevate our advocacy to ensure our legislators and funders make the necessary adjustments to support quality services and fund a sustainable wage for care professionals.

Your Advocacy Matters

Care professionals perform some of the most essential work in our communities. They are also parents, students and people who want to make a difference in the lives of the people they support. Society depends on people working in these roles to support our community members, often at times of greatest need; as such, human services continues to be one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. People in care roles are required to be skilled professionals with specific training and education. Yet, many of them cannot financially care for their own families because of the low wages associated with their jobs. We all need to work together to increase the respect and wages of care professionals.