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WE NEED YOUR VOICE! Our Budget Campaign Has Begun!
Thanks to your ardent advocacy, we have achieved a great deal over past several years, but we must continue the fight to ensure that the foundation of supports and services that enable people with I/DD to live a person-centered life is preserved.
We're calling on you to help us leverage the full power of
The Arc New York for the fight!
As you are all well aware, New York has not made adequate investments to sustain the essential programs and services people with intellectual and developmental disabilities 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 I/DD.
Our unified advocacy drives change.
We are pleased to officially launch our FY26 budget advocacy campaign! From now until the introduction of the Executive Budget in January, we will be directly advocating with Governor Hochul and asking her to support our system of supports and services by including the following investments in the New York State Executive Budget:
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A 7.8% Medicaid rate increase to stabilize non-profit provider agencies.
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The creation of a Wage Commission to examine the roles and responsibilities of human service workers and so we can identify and implement a lasting solution to our staffing crisis.
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Enhanced Capital Funding to help agencies modernize facilities and align with the state’s climate goal
How will these investments help?
- Inflation has far outpaced investment in the I/DD service system, and Medicaid rates no longer reflect the true cost of care. A 7.8% increase would appropriately adjust for inflation that has occurred over the course of Governor Hochul's administration. This increase would support every aspect of care: staff, housing, food, transportation, and more, to ensure necessary resources are available to support the whole person.
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To address our ongoing staffing crisis, we need to correct the gross disparity in pay between state-operations and non-profit providers, and ensure staff receive compensation commensurate with their skill and responsibility. A Wage Commission would be a partnership with the state to conduct a thorough assessment of wages in the Human Services sector and establish fair, sustainable compensation standards commensurate with that work.
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Our facilities are deteriorating due to lack of investment. We need access to capital funding to modernize aging facilities, increase efficiency, and meet the State's climate goals.
One-Click Campaign Launch
We've launched a one-click campaign to inform the governor and other representatives of our budget requests. We urge you to add your voice here. By participating, you will quickly send a letter to your elected representatives to tell them support for New Yorkers with I/DD must be a priority in this year's budget. This will be the first of many advocacy opportunities to come!
Capitol Rally November 19
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