Subject:
COLA for Human Service Providers
Message:
Dear Legislator,
As your constituent and someone who is deeply concerned about the care provided to New Yorkers, I call on you to ensure that the dedicated professionals who work day-in-and-day-out within our communities are paid a fair, living wage.
From providing mental health services to assisting with substance abuse and more, the staff of agencies and caregivers require a robust cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 3.2 percent or better. Accordingly, I urge you to advocate for the inclusion of a direct care wage enhancement, as contained in S.4127-A (Mannion)/A.5268-A (Seawright), to be included in the enacted budget. This will help to combat workforce shortages and address declining personnel levels at a time when our state is witnessing an increased demand for human services staff.
Decades of lagging support and wages that have not remained competitive with other industries have led to a sustained effort to increase recruitment and retention of those who work in the human services field.
A boost of 3.2 percent or better to the COLA and the wage enhancement contained in S.4127-A (Mannion)/A.5268-A (Seawright) for these non-profit providers that assist so many New Yorkers, will help to ensure that any person who accesses these services is treated with dignity, respect and professional care so that they may reach their full potential.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. I look forward to a reply to my e-mail.
Sincerely,
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