Rhode Island needs to treat individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those who care for them with DIGNITY! Many caregivers who serve this vulnerable population make an abysmal $11 to $12 per hour wage, leading to a 33% turnover rate among this workforce. This is unsustainable and unfair for caregivers and those in their care. We’re done waiting. This year, we’re demanding that state leaders do the right thing and pass legislation that provides a living wage for the caregivers.
Hear from real Rhode Islanders on this issue.
THE FACTS
- The direct service professionals who serve individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities earn, on average, between $11 and $12 per hour.
- There is a 33% turnover rate among direct service professionals in community agencies.
- 84% of Rhode Islanders supports a $15 minimum wage for direct service professionals
Take Action: We can’t wait anymore.
This legislative session is the moment to make sure that a budget is passed that provides a substantial raise to DSPs and a commitment to implement a minimum wage of $15 per hour in the next two years. We can’t let DSPs and those they serve go another year without change.
Legislators and constituents know this is the right decision to make in order to support individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those who serve them. The only challenge is taking action and prioritizing it.