A Message from CEO Erik Geizer (Continued) FIGHTING FOR STAFF & INDIVIDUALS
In mid-September, I presented oral testimony to The New York State Assembly Standing Committee on People with Disabilities at a public hearing concerning OPWDD's five year strategic plan. In The Arc New York written testimony, which can be read here, we stressed the urgent need to address our workforce crisis, improve access to supports and services, and implement regulatory reform. Today more than ever, we need to be fighting for our workforce. Our entire system of supports, the quality of our services and the continuity of our care depends on having sufficient. skilled and dedicated staff.
This week of recognition is valuable and well deserved, but DSPs need more than a week of celebration. They need our advocacy and support. We are in the midst of a true workforce crisis. DSPs are underpaid and agencies are understaffed. Addressing this crisis is a top priority of The Arc New York’s Strategic Plan. Advocacy plays a critical role in this effort. As a member of New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) we are working with providers throughout the state to advocate for the inclusion of a sustainability funding and additional salary enhancements in the Executive Budget. In no small thanks to these advocacy efforts, the 2022 State Budget included a $2.2B increase in funding for OPWDD, comprised of a 5.4% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), bonuses for DSPs, and funding for minimum wage increases. In addition, our advocacy and influence resulted in the use of historic enhanced Federal matching funds (eFMAP) to provide vaccine incentive bonuses and longevity and retention payments for DSPs. We are hopeful these accomplishments are only the beginning of a critical realization by the state that continued investment must be made in our workforce. HONORING OUR HISTORY As we advocate for the future, we are inspired by the past. September 17, 2022 marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of the day the last resident of Willowbrook State School left the horrific conditions of the institution to begin a life in their community.
CELEBRATING DSPS ACROSS NYS DSPs across the state, dedicate their time supporting independence, delivering essential care, and ensuring a rich, full life for the people we support. We appreciate them every day. We honor DSPs in September with a week-long observance recognizing their critical work. This year, we saw Chapters across the state celebrate Direct Support Professional Recognition Week with picnics, raffles, t-shirts, games, and all sorts of unique ideas.
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