Advocacy

Invest in Me! Call to Action!

The Kinexion Network in alignment with our provider associations, the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation (NYAII), the Inter Agency Council (IAC) and New York Disability Advocates (NYDA), supports the efforts of the "Invest in Me" campaign. This campaign asks our legislators to invest in IDD services through a 7.8% Medicaid rate increase, create a Wage Commission to establish fair, sustainable compensation standards commensurate with human services work, and to enhance capital funding to help agencies become more energy-efficient in alignment with the state's climate goals.

How to Move from a Care Crisis to a Stable Care System

PROBLEMS

SOLUTIONS

The I/DD service industry is experiencing an unprecedented ﬁnancial strain caused by Medicaid reimbursement rates that no longer reflect the true cost of care.

DSP wages are not in line with the level of skill and responsibility necessary to support people with disabilities. Furthermore, there is a great disparity between wages paid by state-operated and nonproﬁt agencies.

Many non-proﬁt provider agencies operate with outdated resources that do not meet New York’s ambitious climate goals.

Invest in I/DD services through a 7.8% Medicaid rate increase to stabilize non-proﬁt provider agencies.

Create a Wage Commission to examine the roles and responsibilities of human service workers and establish fair, sustainable compensation standards commensurate with that work.

Enhanced Capital Funding to help agencies modernize their operations, making them more energy-efﬁcient and in alignment with the state’s climate goals.

Contact your State Officials!

Direct Support Professional Wages

DSPs at non-proﬁt providers make signiﬁcantly less than their counterparts doing the same work at state operated facilities. This inequity further compounds our stafﬁng crisis, and needs to be examined.

Average Non-Proﬁt Starting Wage

OPWDD State Operated Starting Wage

Downstate: $17.23 / hour

Downstate: $27.97 / hour

Upstate: $16.74 / hour

Upstate: $25.36 / hour

What We Need:

Increased Medicaid Funding

We need our legislators' support for a 7.8% Medicaid rate increase that truly reflects the cost of care.
Medicaid rates go beyond just addressing wages. Rates for programs and services are all-inclusive and support the whole person. This means that every aspect of care, including direct support providers, housing, food, transportation, and more, receives necessary resources.
This is more than just a budget request, it is a commitment to providing the stable care system that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve.

Adequate Wages for Human Services Workers

Legislators should call on the Governor to convene a Commission to study and address wage inadequacy for human service workers, including direct support professionals.
The creation of a Human Services Wage Commission is essential for our industry because we are struggling with high turnover rates and staffing shortages, making it difficult to operate effectively and meet the needs of those we support.

Enhanced Capital Funding to Ensure Quality Care

Provider agencies supporting the intellectual and developmental disabilities community can be part of the state’s solution to meeting its ambitious climate goals but are in desperate need of upkeep and modernization.
The best way to achieve this is to incentivize projects that support the state’s climate goals and ensure adequate funding. We can create energy-efficient facilities that ensure long-term cost savings.

Click to open the NYDA info sheet below

We're asking for your help!

The Governor, Senate, and Assembly must
support a stable care system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Please contact your state officials and discuss how this initiative will impact the people we support!

Contact Your State Officials Today!

EEDA is the result of the advocacy efforts of parents of children with developmental disabilities. Advocacy is speaking up for what you believe in and requires courage, conviction and long term dedication. Today, EEDA is comprised of advocates at every level; staff, parents, self-advocates, community partners, all working together to further I/DD awareness and secure the rights of every citizen.

Rainbow Alliance

A safe space for people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their Allies to engage in open dialogue and to promote tolerance and acceptance within our community.