URGENT NEED TO CONTACT YOUR SENATOR – PLEASE READ!
The Workforce shortage crisis is hitting critical levels! About 7 thousand individuals are still without services and supports and family caregivers are stressed financially and emotionally. The Arc needs your help with this URGENT ADVOCACY ALERT to the Massachusetts Senate!
The Senate has now taken up the FY’23 budget and The Arc requests significant funding for a wage increase for Human Services Workers, including the Direct Support Workforce for people with autism and IDD. This funding for Chapter 257 (the rate reserve account) will help service providers with recruiting, hiring, and retaining direct support staff.
Chapter 257 (1599-6903) requires an additional $350 Million this year to accomplish the goal of getting these essential staff into the $20/per hour range and to begin to deal with this crisis.
Please ask your Senator to support this critical workforce wage increase to stop the closures of programs and to allow individuals with autism and other disabilities to return to services. The crisis is causing increased isolation, regression, and mental health emergencies.
