Families and advocates urge NY pols to pass budget with funding for better wages for direct support professionals

As New York lawmakers continue their state budget negotiations, what remains on the table is more funding for direct support professionals — caregivers for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

Elected officials, including Manhattan Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, are advocating for a 3.2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for direct support professionals without any contingencies in the final state budget, which has been extended several times beyond its original April 1 deadline.