KINGSTON- Disability advocates in the Hudson Valley region sent a powerful message to state leaders about the critical need for investment in support and services for New Yorkers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). A February Phone Blitz held by Northeast Region Chapters of The Arc New York saw an incredible response with over 2,000 calls from engaged community members in a single week.
The calls urged State Representatives to support the inclusion of a 3.2 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment and a Direct Support Wage Enhancement (A5268/) S4127A in their respective house budget proposal to reverse years of underfunding and address an escalating staffing crisis that is having a devastating impact on people with disabilities in need of essential support. One in five direct care positions are currently vacant across the state, and nearly 40 percent of providers were forced to close or reduce programs in a single year.
The Arc New York is the largest non-profit provider of support and services for people with I/DD in the state. The phone blitz was conducted by 17 Arc Chapters the Northeast Region, including The Arc Mid Hudson. Collectively, these 17 Chapters support more than 7,000 individuals and families and employ nearly 8,000 people in the region in their shared mission to provide people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities the ordinary and extraordinary opportunities of life. “We are so happy with the strong support our community has shown us,” said John McHugh, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc Mid-Hudson. “Thousands of voices were lifted to call on state leaders to make a commitment to support New Yorkers with disabilities. Meeting that commitment means making meaningful investment in the services and staff they rely on for health, safety, wellbeing, integration and opportunity.”
