FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

Urging Texas Legislature to Increase Pay for Direct Support Professionals

AUSTIN, TX – Today, Time To Care: Save Texas Caregivers Now announced that Volunteers of America Texas (VOA Texas) has joined the coalition, further strengthening the statewide movement to address the urgent issue of underfunding faced by direct support professionals (DSPs) who tirelessly care for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).

The chronic underfunding of DSPs has not only compromised the quality of care provided to individuals with IDD but has also led to the regrettable closure of essential group homes, leaving many vulnerable Texans without vital support.

“VOA Texas believes that support staff who work directly with individuals with IDD continue to be crucially under paid,” said Angela King, VOA Texas President and CEO. “As a provider of services for over 50 years, we are proud to be part of a collective voice to increase wages for this essential workforce. Support for our most vulnerable Texans will collapse without attention to this urgent need.”

The coalition is urging state leaders to authorize an emergency appropriations request through the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) to raise the salary for community-based DSPs from $10.60 to $15 an hour. This will help address the immediate workforce crisis facing DSPs, ensuring that Texans with IDD can receive the support they need.

Carole Smith, Executive Director of the Private Providers Association of Texas (PPAT) and a spokesperson for the coalition, expressed profound gratitude for VOA Texas’ partnership stating: “Securing competitive wages for those who serve the most vulnerable Texans is imperative. We are proud to welcome VOA Texas to our growing coalition and thank them for their tireless service to Texans with IDD and their families.”

Volunteers of America Texas is a faith-based organization that empowers individuals and families to overcome obstacles to reach their full potential and thrive. The ministry of service strengthens communities through an array of services including substance abuse treatment and prevention, affordable housing, community re-entry, employment training and disabilities services. With locations in more than 30 urban and rural communities, Volunteers of America Texas has been helping those who need the most help for more than 100 years. For more information visit https://www.voatx.org/

Time To Care: Save Texas Caregivers Now is a coalition dedicated to securing competitive wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who provide essential care to Texans with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). Through collaboration and grassroots efforts, the coalition strives to enact meaningful change at both the legislative and community levels. To learn more about how to get involved at https://timetocaretx.org/

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