ACT NOW: Help End the Disability Workforce Crisis

ACT NOW: Help End the Disability Workforce Crisis

Woman next to boy in wheelchair under heading: Act Now Tell your elected officials to help end the disability workforce crisisIt’s time to TAKE ACTION! Please contact the Governor and your elected officials this week by email, call or tweet at TheFutureIncludesUs.org urging them to end the disability workforce crisis by accelerating funding for regional center services and supports NOW!

The disability system is facing a serious workforce shortage and people with disabilities are either going without services, or not getting the full services they need. Last year, this Legislature passed a historic budget that included a “phased-in” five-year plan to close the $1.8 billion funding gap to the disability system that would ultimately stabilize the workforce for direct support professionals and regional center service coordinators. Unfortunately, the bulk of the investments are not scheduled to occur until 2024 and 2025

Rapidly changing circumstances like the pandemic and inflation now threaten the viability of that five-year plan. This funding could be “too little too late” if we don’t make those investments in the 2022-23 May Revise budget, which is being negotiated this week.

Let your elected officials know you support The Lanterman Coalition’s proposals to address the staffing crisis by accelerating the IDD five-year funding plan by one year, so those investments start NOW. It can’t wait.

Let’s build a future that will provide Californians with disabilities and the professionals who provide their supports and services a chance to live full and equitable lives.

#TheFutureIncludesUs

ACT NOW at www.TheFutureIncludesUs.org

SHARE YOUR STORY!

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!

Action Alert with Rally Sign

About the Author:

Shelley Ginsburg is the Director of Digital Marketing for Easterseals Southern California. She joined the organization in 2014 and is currently responsible for increasing online awareness for the life-changing disability services Easterseals provides for individuals in local communities and their families, helping them address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals so that they can live, learn, work and play in our communities.

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