The Lanterman Coalition Responds to Governor Newsom’s May Revise Budget Proposal for 2023-24
The Lanterman Coalition, consisting of major stakeholders in California’s community-based developmental disabilities services system, released the following official response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Budget May Revision :
The Lanterman Coalition appreciates Governor Gavin Newsom for reaffirming his support for Californians with developmental disabilities in his proposed 2023-24 May Revise budget by maintaining the commitments made for community-based services and supports.
We applaud the administration for proposing targeted investments to make reasonable wage adjustments for some regional center service coordinators. The workforce shortage, however, continues to impact all individuals with disabilities and we hope similar adjustments will be made for all regional center service coordinators. Similarly, the proposed increase for Independent Living Services can serve as a model for other rate adjustments.
Staffing shortages across the disability system continue to be the most significant barrier to individuals with disabilities and their families receiving adequate support service. The pandemic continues to impact the ability for staffing, which is a growing concern for the disability community at large. To adequately meet these needs, service providers and regional centers across the state will require a funding structure that allows them to hire, train and maintain staff.
We are ready to work with the Legislature and Administration to continue the efforts to build a stable and outcomes-driven system, providing Californians with disabilities throughout their lifespan equal opportunities and access to the services and supports needed to thrive.
Show your support and take action now by sending an email to the Governor and your legislator at https://p2a.co/9nfVaAC
Our stories
A mother who wants stability for her son
"Our son, David, has autism and significant difficulties with language and needs 24-hour staff support. In the last 27 months David has had 10 different support staff. For obvious reasons, this is not an ideal situation, and recruiting for David can be challenging due to the difficulties of communicating with him. Given the low wage rate with little opportunity for advancement, finding a higher paying job is always a prime motivation for staff to move on. There is always uncertainty about when the situation will resolve, and uncertainty is difficult for David and the rest of our family. The reassurance that would come with improvements for our direct support staff and knowing that the system is stable is priceless."
- Betsy Katz, Mom and President of The Arc of California
A direct support professional financially struggling
"I receive a paycheck twice a month. I work 120 hours plus each pay period and I bring home only $1500 at the most, usually less than that after taxes. I can't even afford my own place. I even started driving for Lyft to make ends meet. I love my job I enjoy going to work every day but it's not enough to survive."
- Anonymous Direct Support Professional, Solano County
The state budget matters
The Problem
For two decades, the state is failing Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), causing individuals and families to suffer without critical services and supports. Violating its legal requirement under the Lanterman Act, the state has chronically underfunded the community based organizations that provide services such as supported employment, independent living, family respite, and community integration. As a result, the workforce is leaving in masses - forced to leave the job they love because they struggle with poverty as a result of low wages - and programs are closing their doors. Instead of receiving the services they need to actively contribute to our communities, people are sitting at home without services and families are left abandoned by the state that promised to support them.
The Promise
California's Lanterman Act passed in 1969. This law sought to end the long era of institutionalization by setting up the regional center system instead. This meant that people with I/DD could stay in their communities of origin instead of being removed to the segregated isolation of an institution. When this law passed state lawmakers promised to fund community based services and supports people with I/DD need to live full lives. Yet in recent years the state has failed to live up to its promise, leaving people with I/DD unsupported, isolated, and vulnerable.
What Can You Do?
Take two minutes to contact the Governor your elected officials to support the recommendations of The Lanterman Coalition to address the acute disability system workforce crisis! #TheFutureIncludesUs