On Wednesday, June 25, the Boston Herald published an editorial written by The Arc of Massachusetts Board President Brian Cusack on the current state of the direct support professional (DSP) workforce shortage, as well as The Arc’s Chapter 257 funding request for the FY26 State Budget.
The Arc of Massachusetts and our advocacy partners have requested a targeted $100 million investment, which would bring median rates of pay for entry level DSPs to $22.35 per hour. This would bring pay rates from the 53rd percentile to the 63rd percentile, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – still modest by any labor market standard, but a necessary step to stop losses and maintain operational continuity across the sector.
This ask is not about sentiment. It is a matter of fiscal responsibility, system performance, and service delivery. The current wage structure undermines workforce stability, disrupts care, and ultimately costs the state more by creating additional strains on the healthcare system.
