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Anoka meeting with legislators to share concerns about disability programs and need for wage increase for direct support professionals
Parents, providers and individuals with disabilities gathered in Anoka last week to voice their concerns about the shortage of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to assist individuals with disabilities to have a good life.
 
Reach out to House and Senate leaders
They need to hear that the Competitive Workforce Factor will start to address the DSP workforce crisis
Good morning.

We're making progress to convince lawmakers to support needed investments in the Disability Waiver Rate System, but we're not there yet.

Components of the Best Life Alliance legislation (a Competitive Workforce Factor of 4.7% and changes to the timing of inflationary adjustments) are currently in a good position as they are included in both the House and Senate omnibus bills. However, much can change between the current positions of the House and Senate and what ends up being the final Health and Human Services (HHS) Omnibus bill that will come out of conference committee.
 
One of the biggest deciding factors impacting the final bill components is the budget target or amount of money that can be spent in the bill. Therefore, it is critical that Best Life Alliance supporters reach out to legislative leaders now and next week with a personalized message about the HHS budget target.
 
How to take action:
 
WHEN: Now and next week
WHO:

WHAT: Please send a separate email to each of the leaders above, with the sample message below:

SUBJECT LINE: Prioritize a Competitive Workforce for Disability Services

MESSAGE:
 
I’m reaching out to you as strong supporter of community-based disability services. According to a current state analysis, wages for Direct Support Professionals that provide these critical disability services are 17% behind wages of professions with similar training and education requirements. This has created a current workforce shortage that is at a crisis level.
 
The current House and Senate proposals establishing a competitive workforce factor have given hope to the thousands of Minnesotans providing and accessing disability services that we will be able to begin to address this workforce crisis.
 
As you continue setting the budget priorities for our state, please continue to prioritize investments for this competitive workforce factor for the disability waiver rate system.
 
Your leadership is critical to the future of community-based disability services. Thank you, and please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions.
 
Additional Comments: As always, please feel free to insert a few short sentences into your message about the personal value that community-based services have in your life.


If you receive a personalized response, please contact Anni Simons.

Your voice can help us to cross the finish line.


The Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation - mohrmn.org