Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell says it is a necessity to increase reimbursements to not-for-profit agencies that are providing direct care to the developmentally disabled.
She made her comments after listening to direct care workers - and the mom of a daughter with special needs - share their stories about the challenges posed by working to provide quality care to their clients while having to work two to three jobs to earn a living wage.
"It's absolutely a crisis we need to deal with in next year's budget. We have vacancies and high turnover, and we know the demand is only going to continue to grow," Assemblywoman Russell said.
"This is a budgetary issue. The rest of the economy has driven other wages up, but that has not carried over to people who take care of people with disabilities. It's important for us to understand these workers are way behind on the wage scale," she stressed.
"We know we have to raise our reimbursements so our agencies can increase their wages for their direct care staff. Just because these workers are dedicated and have a sense of commitment to their clients doesn't mean they should have to live in poverty or work multiple jobs just to make ends meet," according to Assemblywoman Russell.
She made her comments after listening to stories from direct care workers from Oneida Lewis NYSARC and St. Lawrence NYSARC. Direct care workers from several not-for-profit agencies in Jefferson County had shared similar concerns with Assemblywoman Russell last month as part of the bFair2Direct Care 300 Days to Better Pay campaign.
Howie Ganter, executive director of the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center, noted the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities-funded provider agencies deliver about 85 percent of the needed daily services for the 130,000 people with developmental disabilities in New York State.
But he said those agencies are facing a perfect storm that could destroy the organization and services provided by the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center.
He pointed out the Medicaid increase of half of 1 percent per year over the last eight years simply doesn't provide the reimbursement necessary to meet mandated costs including an increase in the state's minimum wage and new federal rules regarding mandatory overtime payments.
He said his agency currently has a 40 percent vacancy rate for employees in residential settings and struggles with high turnover. We can't compete, and our employees need to be paid a living wage," he said.
Jennifer Cole-Warner, a St. Lawrence NYSARC employee and mom of two young adults receiving services from her agency, said she has seen the strain placed on direct care workers.
"We've had a lot of great people in and out of the program. They work so hard. You can see it, the gains they make with these kids. It's really hard to see them have to work two or three jobs. We need even more direct direct care staff, and it is difficult to retain the staff we already have," she said, flanked by her daughter, Hannah, at the event Monday afternoon in Watertown.
Ms. Cole-Warriner said high turnover in direct care staff impacts clients as well as their families.
"It's hard for parents, having a lot of turnover. When you have turnover, it is hard for parents to start trusting again," she suggested.
Beth Thompson said she works full-time for NYSARC working with children and youth in the Massena area and then provides respite care on a part-time basis for another not-for-profit in St. Lawrence County.
"We don't begrudge the fast food workers, but we would like to make as much as they are. There are weeks I am working as many as 80 hours," she said.
Carmen Sweet, who works in the Lowville, said he knows employees working 60 to 65 hours a week in residential settings. He said they are willing to work the overtime because they need the money.
"I love my job. It's not really work, but I am asking the state to support us more. The pay is not there. It is a shame you can go and work at a veterinarian's clinic and get paid $12 to clean the kennels, but most of us providing direct care to those with developmental disabilities are making $10 per hour or less," he said.
Assemblywoman Russell said she has tremendous respect for the dedicated direct care providers.
"You are an educator, a social worker, a mediator. You have to have an entire bag of tricks. This isn't a job anybody can fill. There is so much responsibility. I appreciate your heart and dedication," Assemblywoman Russell said, reiterating she would be fighting to increase reimbursement to not-for-profits so they can raise wages for their employees.
"It's an issue statewide. You do amazing stuff," she added.
Ms. Thompson thanked Assemblywoman Russell for taking time to listen to the concerns of the direct care workers.
"I feel like you heard us and listened," she said.
She made her comments after listening to direct care workers - and the mom of a daughter with special needs - share their stories about the challenges posed by working to provide quality care to their clients while having to work two to three jobs to earn a living wage.
"It's absolutely a crisis we need to deal with in next year's budget. We have vacancies and high turnover, and we know the demand is only going to continue to grow," Assemblywoman Russell said.
"This is a budgetary issue. The rest of the economy has driven other wages up, but that has not carried over to people who take care of people with disabilities. It's important for us to understand these workers are way behind on the wage scale," she stressed.
"We know we have to raise our reimbursements so our agencies can increase their wages for their direct care staff. Just because these workers are dedicated and have a sense of commitment to their clients doesn't mean they should have to live in poverty or work multiple jobs just to make ends meet," according to Assemblywoman Russell.
She made her comments after listening to stories from direct care workers from Oneida Lewis NYSARC and St. Lawrence NYSARC. Direct care workers from several not-for-profit agencies in Jefferson County had shared similar concerns with Assemblywoman Russell last month as part of the bFair2Direct Care 300 Days to Better Pay campaign.
Howie Ganter, executive director of the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center, noted the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities-funded provider agencies deliver about 85 percent of the needed daily services for the 130,000 people with developmental disabilities in New York State.
But he said those agencies are facing a perfect storm that could destroy the organization and services provided by the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center.
He pointed out the Medicaid increase of half of 1 percent per year over the last eight years simply doesn't provide the reimbursement necessary to meet mandated costs including an increase in the state's minimum wage and new federal rules regarding mandatory overtime payments.
He said his agency currently has a 40 percent vacancy rate for employees in residential settings and struggles with high turnover. We can't compete, and our employees need to be paid a living wage," he said.
Jennifer Cole-Warner, a St. Lawrence NYSARC employee and mom of two young adults receiving services from her agency, said she has seen the strain placed on direct care workers.
"We've had a lot of great people in and out of the program. They work so hard. You can see it, the gains they make with these kids. It's really hard to see them have to work two or three jobs. We need even more direct direct care staff, and it is difficult to retain the staff we already have," she said, flanked by her daughter, Hannah, at the event Monday afternoon in Watertown.
Ms. Cole-Warriner said high turnover in direct care staff impacts clients as well as their families.
"It's hard for parents, having a lot of turnover. When you have turnover, it is hard for parents to start trusting again," she suggested.
Beth Thompson said she works full-time for NYSARC working with children and youth in the Massena area and then provides respite care on a part-time basis for another not-for-profit in St. Lawrence County.
"We don't begrudge the fast food workers, but we would like to make as much as they are. There are weeks I am working as many as 80 hours," she said.
Carmen Sweet, who works in the Lowville, said he knows employees working 60 to 65 hours a week in residential settings. He said they are willing to work the overtime because they need the money.
"I love my job. It's not really work, but I am asking the state to support us more. The pay is not there. It is a shame you can go and work at a veterinarian's clinic and get paid $12 to clean the kennels, but most of us providing direct care to those with developmental disabilities are making $10 per hour or less," he said.
Assemblywoman Russell said she has tremendous respect for the dedicated direct care providers.
"You are an educator, a social worker, a mediator. You have to have an entire bag of tricks. This isn't a job anybody can fill. There is so much responsibility. I appreciate your heart and dedication," Assemblywoman Russell said, reiterating she would be fighting to increase reimbursement to not-for-profits so they can raise wages for their employees.
"It's an issue statewide. You do amazing stuff," she added.
Ms. Thompson thanked Assemblywoman Russell for taking time to listen to the concerns of the direct care workers.
"I feel like you heard us and listened," she said.
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell visits with Beth Thompson (r) following a discussion on the direct care staffing challenges facing not-for-profit agencies. Ms. Thompson provides direct care to children and youth in the Massena area. Michelle Quinell-Gayle, assistant executive director of Community Relations for St. Lawrence NYSARC.
BOTTOM PHOTO:
Jennifer Cole-Warriner (r) discusses the challenges that face parents of children with developmental disabilities, including the high turnover of direct care providers due to low wages, with Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell. Ms. Cole-Warriner's daughter, Hannah, listens to the conversation.
