The Developmental Disability Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY) is dealing with a worker shortage due to not being able to recruit new workers or retain current employees.
These employees work in group homes for people with disabilities.
DDAWNY represents 40 facilities throughout Western NY and currently has 3,200 vacancies for direct support professionals.
DDAWNY is calling on Governor Cuomo to act now due to direct support professionals being some of the lowest paid employees in the industry.
DDAWNY said that in 2005 the wages for direct support professionals was 33% above the minimum wage, and today it is less that 2% higher.
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