I am a Services Facilitator for Consumer Directed Services based in Southwest Virginia. 

I fully support a pay raise for all attendants providing Companion Care, Personal Care, and Respite.  These attendants are essential workers who have continued working to care for our vulnerable at-risk population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their work provides critical support so this at-risk population can stay safe and at home and avoid nursing homes and hospitalizations.

I hope the increase also includes Services Facilitator Routine and Reassessment Visit rates.  We have not seen an increase in our rates for as long as I have been in the business, and nowadays very few people are able to afford to work at this job, with its long hours and low pay.

I also encourage the abolishing of the unfair practice of paying different rates in different parts of the state.  Service Facilitators in my region have large caseloads spread over a wide area, usually comprising several counties.  We spend hours traveling far and wide to complete one or two home visits, while the Services Facilitators in more urban areas can complete many more home visits in a day.  It is unfair that Services Facilitators and attendants in some regions are paid more. Virginia needs to attract qualified Service Facilitators and attendants to do this necessary work in all regions by making the pay rate uniform across the state.