Action Alert: The Future Includes US
The Governor's May Revise was missing crucial support for our Job Coaches!
The Lanterman Coalition and other community advocates worked tirelessly to get the Governor to recognize the disability staffing crisis effecting the Regional Center Service System. To address the staffing shortage, the Lanterman Coalition and other disability advocates had a small request to be considered by the legislators. That request was:
Hire more direct support professionals by accelerating the implementation of the Department of Developmental Service rate models and ensuring those models are updated every three years to create a sustainable system. As many of you know.
The rate study was to be phased and implemented in 2020, but due to the Covid Pandemic, the implementation was delayed 2 years. Because of cost of living, we requested to expedite the 2022 implementation of the rate study.
1. IRI staff are underpaid. They need equitable wages. If we want to treat Job Coaches as a skilled workforce, we need to pay them as such.
2. We are having a workforce crisis. We are unable to recruit and retain employees. This has impacted our service delivery greatly.
3. We have been unable to serve people needing our services, especially transition-age youth that want to work!
We need the Governor and Legislature to consider continuing the commitment set forth in last year’s budget and invest in the disability community immediately by adopting the Lanterman Coalition supported proposals to address the workforce crisis. Californians with disabilities, their families, and their direct support workforce will thank you for creating a future that includes ALL of us!
ACT NOW! To show support for The Lanterman Coalition’s funding proposals that can help end the acute disability workforce crisis, visit TheFutureIncludesUs.org.
Click HERE to record a short video message to let the Governor and your elected officials understand how the workforce crisis impacts you or those you serve!
SPREAD THE WORD! Partner with the Lanterman Coalition in getting the word out to your community. Click the link below for a toolkit with sample communications and social media graphics. CLICK HERE FOR TOOLKIT
Thank you,
Suad Bisogno
Executive Director