Educating the New York State Legislature on the need to invest in the future of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the staff who support them was the purpose of a rally in Albany attended by People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey and several People Inc. employees. The People Inc. team joined the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of WNY (DDAWNY) and hundreds of people, including people served and employees from agencies throughout the state, to press lawmakers on increased funding for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).

The issue was Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget, which includes only a 1.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for wages for DSPs, who provide essential care and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group used the opportunity to press for a 3.2% COLA to Medicaid rates for provider agencies in the final state budget that is due April 1, and a $4,000 wage enhancement for DSPs.

The 3.2% COLA is critical for I/DD agencies to maintain programs and services in the midst of rising costs for food, supplies, utilities and other essential items. McCaffrey met with members of Governor Hochul's health-care team in the Executive Chamber, as well as members of the New York State Legislature, including State Senators Sean Ryan, Minority Leader Robert Ortt, and Assemblymembers Mike Norris, Karen McMahon, Monica Wallace and Patrick Burke.

The rally was just one of several public appearances from McCaffrey and People Inc. staff recently in ongoing advocacy efforts for DSP wage increases. She was recently interviewed by WIVB and WGRZ in Buffalo regarding the budget. 

To add your voice to these advocacy efforts, you can reach out to the elected officials using this one-click tool.

Non-profit leaders from across the state met with local elected officials to advocate for an increase in operational funding and direct support staff wages.