Beginning in 2022, the state of California started implementing a new rate reform plan for developmental disability service providers, rolling it out in phases. The new reform system is essentially a guide that tells the state how much to pay disability service providers for the work they do.
The rate reform plan was designed to gradually increase what the state pays disability service providers, which is great in theory because the old rates were outdated and didn’t reflect the real cost of care. But instead of giving everyone the full new rates right away, the state rolled them out in phases over several years.
With each phase, providers got a bump in funding — but also had to meet more requirements to get the full amount. That includes enrolling in new systems, reporting more data, and hitting certain quality benchmarks. So while it’s moving in the right direction, it’s also added a lot of new hoops for providers to jump through — and some smaller or already-stretched organizations are feeling the pressure.
The last phase of this new rate platform was launched in January this year.
Under this last phase, providers get 90% of their payment as a base rate, and the remaining 10% is a “bonus” if they meet certain quality goals. The problem is that service providers were promised the entire 100% increase without having extra hoops to jump through. And those extra hoops are apparently going to be an annual affair.
Some organizations are finding it tough to keep up with the extra paperwork and new requirements, like registering in a new statewide provider directory and making sure all their info is up to date. Others say that even with the rate changes, it’s still hard to cover rising costs, especially when it comes to paying staff fairly.
Advocates and policymakers need to recognize and address the pay gap in the disability service sector. Increased funding for these services, alongside policies that prioritize fair wages and benefits, is essential!
How to Advocate For Better Pay for Service Providers:
Call or Email Your State Reps
Sending a message to your local lawmakers saying, “Disability service providers deserve better pay!” can make a difference. The more they hear from everyday people, the more pressure they feel to fund it.
Share Stories on Social Media
Draw awareness to the problem my posting and sharing real stories about how amazing support staff are and how underpaid they are for the work they do. Tag local officials or use hashtags like #PayFairly or #ValueDSPs to help it spread.
Join a Rally or Advocacy Day
Whether it’s at the Capitol or your local city hall, showing up with a sign and a message makes noise. You can even go with a group from your organization or community.
Write a Letter to the Editor
A short, heartfelt letter to your local newspaper can help raise awareness with people who might not know how bad the pay gap is. Bonus: lawmakers read those too.
Team Up with Advocacy Orgs
Partner with local or statewide advocacy groups who are already fighting for this issue. They’ll have petitions, talking points, and campaigns you can plug right into. The Arc – https://thearc.org/about-us/ and National Disability Rights Network – https://www.ndrn.org/
