<h2>Support the 4% TII: Protect I/DD Services in the Final Budget&nbsp;</h2>
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<h3><strong>The Clock is Ticking.</strong></h3>
<p>New York’s budget is entering its final weeks. While Governor Hochul proposed a modest 1.7% increase, both the Senate and Assembly have recognized the shortfall by including a 4% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) in their one-house budgets. Now, we must ensure the final Enacted Budget upholds this 4% commitment and restores Care Coordination Organizations (CCOs) as eligible programs. <br></p>
<h3>Why This Matters</h3>
<p>Over the last five years, inflation has soared by 23.7%, yet service rates have only increased by 15.8%. Without the full 4% TII, non-profit providers cannot competitively pay Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) or sustain the essential programs New Yorkers with I/DD rely on.</p>
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<h3>Investment Works!</h3>
<p>Recent state investments have already proven their value:</p>
<ul>
<li>44% decrease in DSP vacancies.</li>
<li>6% reduction in staff turnover.</li>
<li>28.6% increase in starting wages.</li>
</ul>
<p>We cannot afford to let this progress slip away. Sustained investment is the only way to keep pace with rising costs and ensure quality, person-centered care.</p>
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<h3>Take Action Now</h3>
<p>Urge the Governor and Legislature to adopt these essential priorities:</p>
<ul>
<li>A 4% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII).</li>
<li>The inclusion of CCOs in the TII to preserve vital care navigation.</li>
</ul>
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<p><strong>Your voice matters.</strong> Use this tool to send a clear message to your legislators and the Governor today: Support the 4% TII!&nbsp;</p>


Stand Up for New Yorkers with I/DD: Close the Funding Gap!

As a constituent and dedicated advocate, I am writing to ask for your full support in securing robust funding for the disability community in this year’s New York State budget.

The nonprofit agencies that support New Yorkers with I/DD, their families, and their caregivers are facing an unprecedented crisis. Rising operational costs and a severe workforce shortage are forcing providers to scale back services, leaving many vulnerable New Yorkers without the care they depend on to live safely and independently.

I urge you to champion the following priorities during final budget negotiations:

•  Implement a 4% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII): To ensure the stability of our support systems, we need the 4% TII proposed by the Senate and Assembly to supplement the Executive Budget’s 1.7%. This increase must be unrestricted, allowing agencies the flexibility to address soaring costs and provide necessary wage increases. Since 2020, basic expenses have jumped by more than 25%, while state reimbursement rates have only risen by 16%. Without this adjustment, providers cannot maintain the residential and vocational facilities that are the backbone of our communities.

•  Include Care Coordination Organizations (CCOs) in the TII: CCOs are the glue that holds the OWPDD service system together. Individuals and families rely on care coordinators to navigate complex Medicaid requirements and manage life-sustaining supports. To recruit and retain staff with the specialized expertise required for this work, CCOs must be able to offer competitive salaries. It is essential that they are included in the TII to ensure continuity of care.

These requests are rooted in data and common sense. They are the minimum required to keep the disability service system from collapsing and to ensure that New Yorkers with I/DD can live with the dignity they deserve.

I look forward to hearing how you will stand with our community during these final budget deliberations. Thank you for your time and your commitment to your constituents.