Wages for DSP's are currently at poverty levels.  Fast food chains, retail, and other general labor positions offer wages of $15 per hour, with signing bonuses and other incentives.  Low pay contributes to high staff turnover, unfilled vacancies and quality issues due to the need for providers to continually recruit and retrain personnel.  

Capacity shortfalls across the state are creating a crisis of care. Individuals with waivers are having increasing difficulty obtaining adequate services.  The release of new waiver slots only compounds the problem. It is imperative that rates for waiver funded services be increased to ensure that providers can....

• attract and retain adequate highly skilled qualified staff and reduce turnover
• improve quality and reduce risk to individuals and staff due to skill gaps
• expand capacity and service options to support more individuals

This problem must be addressed by the State as a top priority. 

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