Direct-care professionals provide their communities with an invaluable service, and their tireless dedication and commitment to the well-being of the disability community continues to improve the quality of life for those who have difficulty caring for themselves. The recent Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, which took place from Sept. 8-14, recognized and supported those who do […]
Direct-care professionals provide their communities with an invaluable service, and their tireless dedication and commitment to the well-being of the disability community continues to improve the quality of life for those who have difficulty caring for themselves. The recent Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, which took place from Sept. 8-14, recognized and supported those who do this truly incredible work.
It has long been the case that New York’s direct-care workers have been underpaid and the programs funding them have been woefully neglected. Year after year, caregivers come to Albany and rally for living wages and the same type of assistance and attention the governor has provided fast-food workers.
The Assembly Minority Conference has fought hard to restore funding cuts aimed at the direct-care industry, and has advocated for a much-needed living-wage increase. But, our direct-care professionals need more than just a raise. Take a moment to reflect on the challenges the direct-care community faces every day and consider offering a “thank you” to those underpaid, and often overworked, professionals who care for New York’s most vulnerable population.
The Assembly Minority Conference has worked closely with advocates of the #bFair2DirectCare initiative in order to help match legislative action with the needs of direct-care professionals. A concerted effort from experts, lawmakers, the medical community, and those performing direct care is critical.
As such, in an effort to improve the effectiveness of New York’s direct-care programming, the New York State Assembly Minority Task Force on Protecting the Rights of People with Developmental Disabilities conducted a series of 11 informational forums and published a report highlighting the challenges and needs of those who care for the disability community.
The report, “Championing Aid, Rights, Equality and Services (C.A.R.E.S.) Plan,” focused on ways to ensure each member of the disability community is cared for adequately, and in-line with their specific needs. We have also fought to protect funding for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, which allows those in need of care the flexibility to choose their own providers, and has been the target of past budget cuts.
Let’s remember all that New York’s magnificent direct-care workers do and reflect on what they need to perform their duties.
Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C–Canandaigua), a former small-business owner, is the New York Assembly Minority Leader and represents the 131st Assembly District, which encompasses all of Ontario County and parts of Seneca County. Contact him at kolbb@nyassembly.gov