Gov. Shapiro Has Provided a Beacon of Hope to Families That Desperately Needed One | Opinion
Workforce Crisis
Disability Service Providers Hopeful About Shapiro Addressing Rate Issues: RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley Quoted
DDAP Releases Results From Workforce Climate Survey
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) recently conducted a comprehensive survey and listening session to assess the state’s substance use disorder (SUD) workforce. The Workforce Climate Survey results reveal a substantial workforce shortage, with 84% of the nearly 500 respondents citing it as a significant problem. The vacancy rate for SUD positions averaged 18%, with notable variations based on organization size and location. Larger, well-established non-profit organizations in metropolitan areas reported higher vacancy rates, and critical positions, such as counselors, nurses, entry-level professionals, and peer specialists, were particularly challenging to fill. Recruitment and retention issues were attributed to limited applicant pools and difficulties in offering competitive compensation.
The survey participants offered recommendations for both short and long-term solutions. These recommendations included increasing reimbursement rates, reducing education and experience requirements, alleviating paperwork burdens, and expanding student loan forgiveness and tuition reimbursement programs. In response to these findings, DDAP plans to use the survey data to inform its state plan, regulatory reform, and the allocation of opioid settlement funding. The department’s future efforts will focus on increasing the supply of addiction professionals, leveraging technology, addressing workforce distribution across the state, and enhancing workforce resilience to support Pennsylvania’s SUD workforce better and mitigate the ongoing overdose crisis.
2023 ID/A Workforce Compensation Study Announced
RCPA members are encouraged to participate in the ID/A Workforce Compensation study conducted by and in collaboration with the Center for Healthcare Solutions described below. The Center for Healthcare Solutions performed the survey that we supported last year, as well. This study is being done jointly with several other statewide and regional associations, and we are hoping that providers across Pennsylvania will participate in order to provide adequate data for use in advocacy efforts to improve conditions for our workforce. This also presents an opportunity to have comparative data.
The scope of this survey and the report generated from it will address compensation practices for 46 positions, including Direct Support Professionals (DSP), supports coordinators, frontline supervisors, clinical positions, program specialists, facilities staff, and administrative personnel. It will also provide data on staff vacancies and turnover that continues to impact care and services across Pennsylvania.
Any ID/A employer in Pennsylvania is eligible to participate in the survey and will receive the published report, which will also be provided to the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs. As always, CFHS follows all FTC/DOJ guidelines to de-identify data and maintain confidentiality. If you are a member of multiple associations, you only need to complete the survey once.
Two files are included: the input form and the general instructions for filling out the input form. Completed surveys may be emailed to Steve Forest or uploaded via SFTP (information included in the instructions) by Friday, September 22. The published report is expected to be issued on Friday, October 6.
Additionally, a workshop has been scheduled for Thursday, September 7, at 10:00 am to review the survey and assist participants in its completion. To register for this workshop, please visit here.
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‘The Collapse is Here’: Individuals with ID/A, Families, & Providers Rally in Capitol for Increased Funding
Individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A), their families, and ID/A service providers held a rally on June 28 at the state Capitol to urge lawmakers to increase funding for services and support in the 2023/24 budget. Providers told those assembled in the Capitol rotunda that nearly 60,000 Pennsylvanians are at risk because there are not enough direct support professionals (DSPs) to care for them. Advocates pressed lawmakers to restore the $170 million in funding to invest into fee schedule rates to support DSPs and services.
“Across the state, we are seeing that there is insufficient staff to meet needs or no staff at all,” said Richard S. Edley, PhD, Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association president and CEO. “DSPs are overworked and depleted and have compromised their own health to serve individuals with ID/A. Program closures have eliminated essential services and also affected the health of individuals served. Underfunding a system where individuals and families are already waiting for or losing needed services simply compounds a dire situation. We need to come together to help those in need.”
View news clips and photos of those who advocated at this event for ID/A services funding below.
WENY (Lilly Broadcasting)
VIDEO: “The Collapse Is Here” Intellectual Disability and Autism Care Providers Issue Dire Warning to Pa. Lawmakers
Penn Watch (Featuring RCPA President/CEO Richard S. Edley, PhD)
“The Collapse is Here”
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Updated Invitation: Join Us at the Capitol on June 28 to Advocate for Preserving ID/A Services
The ID/A Associations are continuing our advocacy for increases to the IDD budget in PA. Join us at the Capitol in Harrisburg on Wednesday, June 28 to advocate for the preservation of desperately needed services for individuals with Intellectual Disability and Autism. People with disabilities, families, and advocates will be going to legislative offices in Harrisburg, dropping off information, and asking legislators to increase funding for ID/A services.
We will begin by meeting at the East Wing entrance to the capitol at 11:00 am. From there, we will be distributing handouts for participants to deliver to various offices. Staff from all the associations will be on hand to provide guidance as needed. After visits and a break for lunch, we will gather at 1:00 pm in the rotunda for a press conference, hearing from families who are in need of supports and services for their family member(s).
This effort is imperative, as there is no longer a risk of the system collapsing. The intellectual disability system is collapsing. Thousands of people are losing services, and more will soon be added to that list due to a proposed budget reduction and a lack of investment into rates. Inaction by the legislature will only further exacerbate this crisis and leave thousands more individuals and families without services. If nothing is done to address the inadequate rates now, more families in Pennsylvania will suffer.
The budget negotiations are ongoing, and we need YOU and everyone you know to help our advocacy efforts. As the Governor and legislature continue to negotiate funding for the budget, they need to hear from constituents about the importance of the ID/A system and why investing into the rates is the only way to ensure that providers can pay their staff higher wages and attract new staff to serve more people.
If you would prefer to visit your local legislative offices, we can provide the handouts to you via email to distribute to your legislators.
Contact Carol Ferenz or Cathy Barrick to register or if you have any questions.
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