Crisis in Care

The pandemic has taken its toll on all our communities, and the field of disability supports is among the hardest hit. While some emergency assistance has been available to help disability service providers get PPE and make ends meet, those resources have come gradually and in stages. Right now, many providers are barely hanging on because they can’t cover daily costs, let alone reinvest in their operations, at a time when it is needed more than ever. Kansans with IDD still need the same type and level of support to live life in the community that they needed before COVID-19, now with added concerns over staying healthy and protected from the virus. We’re facing a Crisis in Care.

The number of people who need services has been growing for years, which requires a growing workforce to match. IDD providers have been hard pressed to offer competitive wages that are even comparable to entry-level fast food restaurants in their communities, let alone pay professionals to work in close quarters – doing everything from helping people feed, dress, bathe, and care for themselves to supporting people navigate the community, get a job, vote, and more. Sadly, during the pandemic, many DSPs have been forced to leave their jobs to file for unemployment.