We are seriously concerned that Gov. Kathy Hochul did not include a direct support professional wage enhancement or a full cost-of-living adjustment in her 2024-2025 executive budget for not-for-profit agencies, such as Aspire of WNY, People Inc., Community Services for Every 1, ARC of WNY, SASI and others who serve about 85% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) statewide.
As we understand it, state-employed DSPs (direct support assistants) represented by the CSEA start at more than $50,000 per year full time, which, given all of their responsibilities, they deserve. They reportedly received a 12.5% COLA and $4,000 wage enhancement in the 2022-2023 state budget and also have state benefits and a pension.
However, DSPs doing the same work, but employed by nonprofit agencies, start at about $30,000. The nonprofit agencies only received a 4% COLA in the last state budget.
We are asking that there be parity. All DSPs are providing valuable services to citizens with IDD that require their help.
As a person with a disability and a parent, we want nonprofit staff working with people with IDD paid what they are worth and at par with those working for NYS OPWDD. Reportedly, NYS OPWDD is having significant problems staffing some of their group homes even with the enhanced salaries.
When nonprofit agencies ask for a COLA, it’s determined by the consumer price index-urban (CPI-U) and is based on inflation and actual cost. During the first 10 years of the Cuomo administration, the CPI-U indicated 19.3% in annual adjustments – which former Gov. Andrew Cuomo chose to defer, year after year. Instead of 19.3%, the agencies received increases of just 1.2% over that decade. Billions of dollars should have gone into the system but didn’t.
In contrast, Hochul and the Legislature have funded nearly 10% in COLAs over the past two years. The not-for-profit agencies didn’t get everything they needed, but she inherited a mess and has done more in two years than her predecessor did in 10. In addition, our WNY legislative delegation has been phenomenal in advocating for agencies’ needs.
To help rectify this glaring inequity, we support NY Disability Advocates’ request for a 3.2% COLA and $4,000 wage enhancement per eligible nonprofit DSP.
Impacted stakeholders include families, people with IDD, DSPs, not-for-profit agencies executives, local and NYS officials. This is a widespread and serious problem.
To be proactive, we have continued to develop strategies to help inspire and teach people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members, DSPs and allies how to become more effective advocates. We are happy to share this model.
BJ Stasio is co-vice president of the Self Advocates of the Association of New York State (Western Region). Max Donatelli is a family advocate.