Life’s WORC celebrates $1.5 billion in funding for organizations that support New Yorkers with developmental disabilities

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Relief is on the way for organizations that provide support and services for individuals with disabilities and their families across the five boroughs.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities will provide more than $1.5 billion in one-time American Rescue Plan Act funding to support recruitment efforts, retention incentives and vaccination bonuses for Direct Support (DSPs) to address chronic staffing shortages at group homes that became dire during the coronavirus emergency.

“We are very happy to finally receive much-needed financial resources to better compensate direct support professionals who work so hard each and every day. Sadly we have only seen funding reductions over the past 10 plus years,” said Janet Koch, CRO of Life’s WORC, which provides comprehensive services and support to people with intellectual disabilities and autism and their families in Queens, Manhattan and Nassau counties.