As human service agencies in the Pioneer Valley and across the state continue to deal with pandemic-induced staffing woes, Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed budget could help ease those challenges, according to local administrators.

Healey’s recommended budget, revealed two weeks ago, proposed a 14%, or $361,993,141 increase to the state Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) fiscal year 2024 budget, with tens of millions of additional dollars allocated toward community residential services, along with investments in day programs and workforce supports.

Human service agency administrators in the Pioneer Valley said these increases are a welcome sign that the state has heard the concerns about staffing and their ability to serve developmentally and intellectually disabled individuals.

“There’s a lot to be encouraged by with this budget proposal,” said United Arc CEO Fred Warren. “It genuinely shows that agencies like ours are not only being heard, but legislators are acting to do what’s right.”

“Obviously, we’re still trying to digest it all, but the initial thought is everyone is pleased overall with the proposed budget,” added Pathlight Executive Director John Roberson.

Staffing challenges

While hiring difficulties stemming from the pandemic are commonplace in all industries, human services have been hit particularly hard, both on the front lines and in offices.

More money for various programs and positions will help, but Roberson said there’s “still work to be done around the workforce.” He said the challenges come in both getting people into the industry and retaining early-career workers who can find higher wages, either at other agencies in the state or in other industries.

“For us, the crisis with our workforce remains the same,” Roberson said. “We’re trying to provide services to a population that has challenges … it makes it more difficult when you don’t have quality staff that’s doing the work.”

Warren said the increased funding may help agencies like The United Arc fill the vacant roles. He explained part of the challenge is the competition with regular businesses around the region – a grocery store or fast food restaurant gig with similar pay is likely to be easier work than caring for a human being – and a need for better communication with folks about the values of working in human services.

With potentially more money to spend, he said The United Arc could increase employee pay while also conducting more outreach.

“Our hope is that being able to use some of this funding that we’re getting, we’d be able to better educate prospective applicants of the importance of this job and then be able to back them up with a competitive wage,” Warren said. “This is actually a really beneficial career and not just a job to step into.”

Roberson said increasing wages to somewhere around $20 an hour would “go a long way to being a bit more competitive” for entry-level staff.

LifePath, which receives some funding from DDS and does not employ direct service workers, has had more turnover than ever in its nursing and case manager roles, according to outgoing Executive Director Barbara Bodzin, who noted her staff has also seen the agency’s vendors struggle to hire workers. The majority of the nonprofit’s funding typically comes from the state Office of Elder Affairs, which has a decreased budget this year.

“We can’t compete with the salaries,” Bodzin said, noting DDS is able to provide more competitive wages due to it being a state entity. “It’s hard to fill because of the competition and diminished individuals who are looking to be gainfully employed.”

Part of that also comes down to the industry, she noted, as human services needs “better workforce development.” Bodzin said a portion of that ties into Roberson and Warren’s concept of showing the value of human service work, for both the individuals being served and the workers.

“The bottom line is certainly more funding is needed, and the funds that were provided in last year’s budget to DDS certainly help,” Bodzin added. “Additional funding will only continue to enhance people’s ability to maintain the quality of life they deserve.”

Turning 22 program boost

Warren also applauded the proposed $21 million increase to DDS’ Turning 22 program, a transition program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities that provides a planning process as people turn 22 years old and enter the adult service system.

“It’s the acknowledgment of that there’s people moving into that category each and every year and we’re excited to see that,” Warren said.

Roberson said he and his peers see some “potential great benefits” to programs like Turning 22 with additional money coming down the pipeline. Although cultivating a workforce is “where the energy is needed right now.”

This year, 1,431 people will age out of family and minor supports and Warren said the increased funding can help address the “gray area” of this transition period.

“We’re hopeful we can look at improvements that we can make,” he said, “and be an agency that fills the gap that has existed.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.

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