Tell Gov. Hochul: Invest in the Workforce and System of Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

For decades, New York state has not made adequate investments to sustain the essential programs and services people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) rely on. This systemic underfunding has driven us into a critical staffing crisis and eroded New York’s system of supports for its citizens with I/DD. The data speaks for itself:

• 38% of providers discontinued or reduced programs and services in 2021 alone
• Average statewide staff turnover rate is 35.5%
• Turnover costs for non-profit providers have risen to more than $100 million annually
• Nearly 20,000 critical Direct Support positions are vacant statewide
• The 18% vacancy rate means New Yorkers with disabilities are missing out on needed care and support

Now we must inform Governor Hochul how she can help address these issues in her 2023-24 Executive Budget. Our goals are twofold:

• Establish a Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) to make up for years of underinvestment
• Include the statutory 8.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

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