Rate hike for state direct support professionals could worsen worker shortage for The Arc of Alachua County msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
/ A brochure for the iBudget Florida program. The program is designed to help people with developmental disabilities choose home and community-based services.
Advocates worry about a worker shortage that, they say, will only grow worse as more people qualify for the program unless lawmakers do something about increasing wages for people who provide services.
Lawmakers have agreed to spend an additional $95 million a year to provide more people with intellectual and developmental disabilities access to services they need to live in their communities and out of institutions.
Advocates said it’s the largest increase in recent history in funding to reduce a waiting list in the Medicaid iBudget program. But they worry about a worker shortage that, they say, will only grow worse as more people qualify for the program unless lawmakers do something about increasing wages for people who provide services.