You may have seen that New York State has approved another budget extender, meaning the final state budget has not yet been adopted. While this delay can be frustrating, it also presents an important opportunity for continued advocacy.
DDAWNY is urging members and partners to use this time to reach out to their legislators and reinforce the need for a 4% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) for not-for-profit OPWDD providers. As negotiations continue, it is critical that policymakers hear directly from those impacted by funding decisions.
Over the past five years, inflation has increased by 23.7%, while service rates have risen by only 15.8%. This gap continues to strain providers’ ability to offer competitive wages to Direct Support Professionals and sustain the essential programs that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely on every day.
Your voice can help ensure this issue remains a priority in the final budget.
We encourage you to contact your legislators using the available phone and email information and share the following message:
“I’m asking (legislator name) to urge leadership to include a 4% Targeted Inflationary Increase for not-for-profit OPWDD providers in the final state budget. Over the past five years, inflation has risen by 23.7%, while service rates have increased by only 15.8%. This full increase is essential to support fair wages for Direct Support Professionals and to sustain the programs that New Yorkers with I/DD depend on. Thank you.”
For added convenience, DDAWNY has also provided a one-click advocacy tool to make outreach quick and easy.
Thank you for your continued advocacy and commitment to strengthening services and supports across New York.