After years of warnings from providers, families, and direct support professionals, New York’s disability and care system has been pushed to a breaking point by rising costs, staffing shortages, and growing demand for services.

“The good news is this year’s state budget includes a 2.7% targeted inflationary increase that I fought to secure to help stabilize the system and support the people families rely on every day,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, NYS Assembly Chair of The People with Disabilities Committee.

“But the reality is more work still needs to be done. Without continued investment, services will remain at risk and providers will continue struggling to meet growing needs. Families across New York cannot afford to lose the support they depend on every day. As the father of a son with autism, I know firsthand how important these services are for families who rely on them every day.”

Direct support professionals and care providers are the backbone of the support system for individuals with disabilities. They help people live independently, access services, participate in their communities, and receive the care they need every day. But many providers have struggled to keep programs running while facing inflation, workforce shortages, and increasing operating costs.

This funding helps strengthen residential programs, community-based services, and the workforce that supports individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations across New York. It is an important step toward protecting services, supporting workers, and helping providers remain sustainable for the future.

“As Chair of the Committee on People with Disabilities and as a father, you can be sure I’ll always fight to make sure individuals with disabilities, families, and the workers who support them are not left behind,” Assemblyman Santabarbara added.

“Liberty ARC and the people we support are thankful for Assemblyman Santabarbara’s tireless advocacy as it relates to the New York State budget,” said Jennifer Saunders, Executive Director of Liberty ARC. “The 2.7% increase is a hard-won victory to secure an amount that was higher than in the original executive budget. Ensuring agencies receive a fair cost of living increase directly impacts our workforce and our ability to hire and retain valuable staff. We’re grateful for the advocacy of the Assembly and Senate Disabilities committees and will continue working with them to improve the lives of the people we support.

“I know that families and providers are grateful that the enacted budget contains a 2.7% targeted inflationary increase for services for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities,” said Kirk Lewis, Retired Executive Director of Schenectady ARC.“As the brother of an individual who was served by the OPWDD system and as a former Executive Director, I know that the most important element of our service system is the Direct Support Professionals, the people who provide the supports and services for some of our most vulnerable citizens.The increase will allow providers to stay even with inflation and to continue the increases that have been provided in recent years, but we must continue to look for ways to make sure our DSPs are earning a living wage and to reward the people who want to do this incredibly important work as a career.