The deadline for the 2023 Executive Budget is fast approaching, and it's more important than ever to let Governor Hochul know that investing in the workforce and system of supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is of critical importance!
Let Gov. Hochul know that The Arc of Monroe MATTERS! Please use your influence to raise these concerns however you can and support The Arc of Monroe, the 1400 people we support and our 800 employees who deserve a fair wage. Specific consideration for our field is essential.
For decades, New York state has not made adequate investments to sustain the essential programs and services people with IDD 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 IDD. 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).
Thank you!
Tracy Petrichick
President and CEO
The Arc of Monroe
Advocacy at The Arc of Monroe
The Arc of Monroe works hard every day to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live fulfilling lives. One of the many ways we do that is through our advocacy efforts. Whether it's advocating for increased wages for our direct support professionals (DSPs), asking legislators to support IDD employment initiatives, supporting our self advocates, or educating the community about disability inclusion, we strive to be a leader in advocacy to better support people with IDD.
On this page, you will find The Arc's position on various pieces of legislation, how you can get involved, and information about our self advocacy group, Arc Alliance.
How Can You Help?
>> Tell your representatives with one click to vote NO on eliminating section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This will help our community
- Keep workers with disabilities employed.
- Create productive, safe training environments for people with disabilities who wish to prepare for a career.
- Develop resources to assist local businesses in creating better opportunities for people with disabilities on their staff.
>> Tell Gov. Hochul and the Legislature with one click to invest in the IDD workforce in 2023-2024!
- 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)
- Our goals are twofold:
>> Tell your representatives with one click to add a Personal Income Tax Credit for DSPs
- A personal income tax credit is a critical solution that our sector needs to stabilize and reinvigorate our sorely depleted workforce. This tax credit would provide recruitment and retention incentives to these vital employees, recognize their essential work, and address the significant workforce challenges of Mental Health and IDD service systems.
>> Tell your representatives to vote YES to the Better Care Better Jobs Act to ensure
- Programs and funds are established for state Medicaid programs to improve home- and community-based services (HCBS), such as home health care, personal care, case management, and rehabilitative services.
- Staff caring for people with disabilities are paid a reasonable wage.
Overview Hiring and Tax Incentives for Employers
Is your business hiring? Consider partnering with The Arc of Monroe! You'll not only help employ someone with a disability, but you'll also enhance your business in many ways. Here is an overview of a few Hiring and Tax Incentives for Employers. Within the overview, you’ll find source links and documents received from ACCES-VR in the past for additional information on ACCES-VR, their business services, On-the-Job Training Program, Work Try-Out Program and the NYS Department of Labor Federal Bonding Program:
Arc of Monroe Contacts
Christen Smith
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
(585) 773-8535
chrsmith@arcmonroe.org
Jessica Blondell
Marketing Manager & Interim Arc Alliance Leader
(585) 643-0097
jblondell@arcmonroe.org
Government Representatives
Senator Charles E. Schumer
780 Third Avenue, Suite 2301
New York, NY 10017
Click to Email
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Kenneth B. Keating Federal Office Building
100 State Street
Room 4195
Rochester, NY 14614
Click to Email
Congressman Joseph Morelle
3120 Federal Building
100 State Street
Rochester, NY 14614
Click to Email
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS AND FACTS IN THE US
Source: Zippia.com
Research Summary: Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for direct support professionals in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
46.3Average Age of a DSP
DSP GenderFemale - 71%
Male - 25%
Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma - 23%
Bachelor's Degree - 23%
$29,469Annual DSP Pay
50%Non-profits is the most common industry hiring DSPs
$11,000Average Starting Salary for DSP
Arc Alliance Self Advocacy Group
Arc Alliance is a self advocacy group organized by The Arc of Monroe that is comprised of people with disabilities. The group meets monthly to talk about the latest issues that people with disabilities face in their communities, as well as practical solutions to bring meaningful change.
Want to get involved? The group is open to anyone in the greater Rochester area! Email Jessica Blondell to learn about how to join.
Learn More About The Arc of Monroe!
