Invest In New Yorkers with Disabilities!
Protect the Progress. Continue the Investment.
New York’s investments in services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are making progress, but sustaining that progress requires continued investment. Over the past five years, state investment has helped raise wages and reduce workforce vacancies by 45%. Still, nearly one in three Direct Support Professionals leave each year, and rising costs continue to put pressure on providers and the people they support.
We are calling on state leaders to include three critical investments in the 2027–28 New York State Budget:
- A 3.4% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) to keep funding in step with rising costs and sustain the services people with disabilities rely on.
- A Human Services Careforce Worker Wage Investment to provide a dedicated, recurring wage increase for direct care staff, clinicians, care managers and other eligible human services employees. The investment would provide cumulative increases of $2,500, $4,500 and $6,000 over three years, built permanently into rates in addition to the TII.
- Restored funding for the Healthcare Enhancement Program to offset rising health insurance costs and help staff afford quality coverage. The proposal would provide $2,500 per employee to help providers address healthcare costs that have increased more than 30% since 2023.
Together, these investments will protect access to quality services for people with IDD while improving equity for the skilled staff they rely on every day.
Advocacy Toolkits
Budget Advocacy Toolkit
To support your budget advocacy efforts, The Arc New York has created an updated resource package, including shareable information sheets and talking points.
Workforce Advocacy Toolkit
The Workforce Advocacy Toolkit offers resources to support local engagement with elected leaders, media, and the wider community as we work together to advocate for solutions to the escalating workforce crisis.
Budget News
The Arc New York Responds to Executive Budget Proposal
If the Governor wants to better support New Yorkers with I/DD, she needs to listen to them, and to the people who deliver the services they rely on.
Advocacy Updates Archive
Keep up to date on budget news with our Advocacy Updates!
Speaking With One Voice
New York Disability Advocates
The Arc New York is an active member of New York Disability Advocates, a coalition of provider agencies across the state, working to advocate in partnership for New Yorkers with I/DD.
Additional Resources
Please note, the information and resources featured on this website are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
