Nearly 300 people filled a room at the state fairgrounds Friday to call for increased funding in the state budget to support staff and services for those with disabilities. The “We Matter” rally was jointly hosted by AccessCNY and ARC of Onondaga to call on state lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul to add just over $250 million to the budget. AccessCNY executive Director Paul Joslyn says that will cover a 3.2 percent cost of living adjustment and what he calls a $4,000 dollar wage retention and enhancement for direct support professionals.
“The relationship between DSP's and those they serve is critical. It is the core of what we do as human service agencies," Joslyn said. "A lack of DSPs mean that people cannot live the lives that they deserve as active participants in our shared community.
Raven O’Neil is a residence manager at ARC of Onondaga who worked as a DSP for seven years.
“We’re their chefs, we’re their counselors, we’re their teachers, we’re their friends, we’re their extended family who make an impact on every aspect of their lives," O'Neil said. "It is inspiring to see the difference we make in the lives of the people we support. We are everything to them, and again, we matter," she said as the crowd applauded.
Eric Mattox first met Larry Hart over a year ago at one of the houses operated by AccessCNY, and knew the same day that Hart would be his new boss, friend, and motivator. Hart uses a wheelchair and has limited speech.
“He has taught me so much about communication, listening, not speaking and most importantly, passion for whatever you do," Mattox said. "I often wonder how long will I be able to stay at this job? Not because I don't like it, but can I afford to stay in this position? I wish this was a question that I had answers to, just like many of my peers in this room.”
Mattox says he and Hart spend a lot of time volunteering at the Salvation Army and visiting friends at the library. In addition to his human services career, Maddox is also head coach of the women's lacrosse team at Onondaga Community College.
Ellen Gutmaker is Executive Director of ARC of Onondaga, and worries the ongoing staffing shortage will continue without a funding increase.
“We have people on waiting list because we don't have the staff to provide those services," Gutmaker said.
"We can't recruit staff to get the two who want to work do this work for this amount of money.”
The average DSP starting pay is barely over minimum wage. Fifteen years ago, it was twice the minimum wage.
State lawmakers are in the midst of budget negotiations. The deadline is April 1.
