AUSTIN, TX – In case you missed it, last Friday, NBC-DFW aired a new report on the Texas Legislature’s discussions around critical investments in community-based services for Texans with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), featuring commentary from Dr. Debra Caudy, Executive Director of 29 Acres, a nonprofit organization based in Cross Roads, Texas and a member of the Time To Care coalition.

Dr. Caudy shed light on the mounting workforce crisis that has destabilized Texas’ community-based IDD care system and highlighted the growing challenges providers face in sustaining essential services amid an unsustainable reimbursement wage structure and staffing shortages. These shortages have only been exacerbated by an abysmally low $10.60 per hour wage rate for direct support professionals (DSPs) who serve Texans with IDD, which Dr. Caudy made clear is “not enough” to sufficiently fund services for Texas’ most vulnerable residents:

29 Acres staff member Mariah Roberts also offered a powerful first-hand account of the day-to-day tasks that help make a real difference in the lives of the Texans with IDD they serve: 

“Whether it’s the littlest thing to just showing up every day and keeping it consistent and then pushing them just a little bit farther than they’re used to so that they can gain that skill.”

Dr. Caudy emphasizes the acute challenge of delivering round-the-clock care at the current reimbursement rate, noting that 29 Acres is forced to raise $400,000 annually just to bridge the massive gap in staff compensation, which could be used instead to expand capacity for Texans with IDD and their families in need of these critical community-based services:

Dr. Caudy delivered a clear message to the Texas Legislature: with a $24 billion budget surplus on the table, lawmakers and budget writers must prioritize making a meaningful investment in services to support Texas’ most vulnerable population:

“I think Texas is a wealthy state. I know that we can do it.”

To read and watch the full segment on NBC DFW, click here.

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 at https://timetocaretx.org/