It’s a new day!
After more than a decade of neglect, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), the nonprofits and workforce that provide supports are getting the investment they deserve.
During her State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans for a significant investment in our workforce, supports and services.
Hochul announced that her Executive Budget proposal will include $2 billion in workforce funding and $500 million in cost of living increases to support a sustainable care infrastructure and begin to address the current workforce crisis.
The proposal also includes many of the CP State/NYDA requests, including:
• 5.4% cost of living adjustment (COLA)
• $3,000 in retention bonuses,
• Connecting Immigrant New Yorkers to Direct Support Professions
• Expanding the Direct Support Professional Career and Technical Education Program
• Expanding the SUNY for All Partnership with OPWDD
• Supporting More Career Flexibility for Direct Care Workers
• Making New York a Model for the Employment of Workers with Disabilities
• Creating an Office of the Chief Disability Officer
“We applaud the Governor for making New Yorkers with disabilities a priority in her budget, and in the state,” said Susan Constantino, President and CEO of CP State. “Our sector has been in crisis for too long, and I am encouraged to see the Governor understands our challenges and is willing to address them. But that didn’t happen in a vacuum. Our Affiliates, their staff, the people we support and their families, have all made their voices heard over these past months and years. We thank all for your tireless advocacy.”
