Rally for Competitive DSP Wages in front of State House Annex, Trenton

When:           Monday, May 13 between 10:30am—12:00pm

Where:         In Front of New Jersey State House Annex (125 West State Street, Trenton, NJ).

Why:            NJ Coalition for a DSP Living Wage Will Rally in Front of NJ State House Annex to Advocate for $54-Million in New Funding in FY2020 to Secure a Competitive Wage for DSPs that Reflects the Skill, Training and Responsibility Required for the Complex and Demanding Work.

Who:            Members of the Coalition: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, DSPs, and community providers and advocacy organizations such as The New Jersey Association of Community Providers, The Arc of New Jersey, Autism New Jersey, and the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities.

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce that serves individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) under the Division of Developmental Disabilities is in crisis with 20% vacancy and 44% turnover rates. The average starting wage of a DSP is only $11.00 per hour – which will be New Jersey’s minimum wage in January 2020 for jobs that require significantly less skill and responsibility.

The Coalition is rallying in front of the State House Annex on Monday, May 13 beginning at 10:30am to tell lawmakers a state appropriation of $54-million in new funding (plus $54-million federal Medicaid match) is needed in FY2020 to ensure the starting DSP wage for those who support adults with I/DD is 25% above New Jersey’s minimum wage and accommodates raises to pay rates for work performed. Without this state funding, the DSP workforce crisis will worsen. Workers will likely move to less demanding jobs at comparable pay, leaving individuals with I/DD without the critical supports they need to survive each day.

Members of the Coalition, including Chair Valerie Sellers, President/CEO of the New Jersey Association of Community Providers along with other leaders from advocacy organizations, individuals with I/DD, family members and DSPs will be providing remarks on the critical need to increase DSP wages in FY2020 on Monday, 5/13 starting at 10:30am. Members of the Coalition will also be available for interview and comment throughout the entire rally, which will conclude with a walk down West State Street around 12noon to deliver the Coalition’s message for the need for competitive DSP wages to Governor Murphy.

For more information about the NJ Coalition for a DSP Living Wage visit http://www.njdspcoalition.org/