Lawmakers in Albany failed the disability community this past session. They failed providers, caregivers, family members and, most importantly, individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Organizations throughout the state made clear to legislators and Gov. Kathy Hochul that without a significant increase in pay for direct-support professionals, the ongoing staffing crisis would reach dire levels. With inflation still elevated, these dedicated individuals face increasingly strained financial situations. Their dedication is admirable and unwavering, but many can no longer afford to live on the wages the state provides, and the wages certainly do not align with the incredibly demanding work they perform day in and day out.
Regularly we hear officials pledge their support for the I/DD community and vow to ensure ample resources are provided, only to come up short on delivering those resources. This year alone, we were left short on cost of living increases, receiving 4% — less than half of the 8.5% the industry projected it would need to sustain workforce levels and attempt to recruit additional workers. Additionally, a bill to provide an average $4,000 annual pay increase to direct-support professionals was never even given full consideration on the floor.
Legislators’ lack of commitment has caused the warning lights to flash in our industry, and the blunt truth is this: Our industry will not be able to sustain or grow our workforce without immediate action to raise wages.
The intellectual and developmental disability community is a massive network that needs dedicated support. As of 2016, an estimated 7 million to 8 million Americans were living with an intellectual or developmental disability, and 30 million Americans were directly affected by their care. These are real people with very real needs — needs that must be addressed consistently, and in many cases continually.
Routinely we hear from the governor and our legislators in Albany that we are a compassionate state and that New York leads the nation. These words ring hollow until the needs of the most vulnerable in our state are met.
Individuals and their families cannot wait for care. With the new legislative session set to begin in the new year, it should be the priority of every senator and Assembly member to meet these funding needs to ensure that a strong workforce is present to care for New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There is no town, city or county, or Senate or Assembly district, that is not directly affected by this lack of funding. It is far past time for lawmakers to get serious about addressing it.