FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

AUSTIN, TX – In a resolute step towards championing those who care for Texans with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), Time To Care: Save Texas Caregivers Now is proud to announce that The Center for Health Care Services (CHCS), the local mental health authority in San Antonio, 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 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.

“We are pleased to be joining the Time to Care TX coalition to collectively prioritize community-based wage increases for Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) so Texans with disabilities are not left behind. We urge the Texas legislature to quickly address the IDD service delivery infrastructure by raising wages and provider rates so we can protect this very vulnerable population,” said President & CEO Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison.

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.

Coalition spokesperson Carole Smith expressed immense gratitude for CHCS’s partnership, stating: “Our coalition is dedicated to ensuring that our state doesn’t leave our most vulnerable Texans behind. We’re overjoyed to have CHCS join our coalition and support our fight to increase wages for DSPs serving Texans with IDD. Together we can hold our state leaders accountable and encourage them to prioritize increased funding for those who tirelessly serve the IDD community every day.”

The Center for Health Care Services provides integrated care to improve the lives of children and adults with mental health conditions, substance use challenges, and intellectual or developmental disabilities. To learn more, visit https://chcsbc.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. Learn more about how to get involved at https://timetocaretx.org/.

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