OUR CARE WON’T WAIT!

Idaho’s direct care workforce is in crisis. Many service providers cannot find the workers they need to provide essential services and support to seniors and people with disabilities. The Direct Care Workforce is essential in empowering people with disabilities to live, work, and play in the communities of their choice.

Right now, Idaho is about 3000 workers short of the staffing levels it needs. That means Idahoans with disabilities, and seniors are going without critical support and care because of lack of staff. This puts people at serious risk.

Direct Care workers need a livable wage. In Idaho a single person with no children needs $16.07 as a livable wage. The Medicaid rate is significantly below that. And these rates need to be reviewed each year for cost of living increases. Low pay, lack of training related to inadequate rates, complicated systems and retention efforts have led to this workforce shortage crisis.

Please educate your legislators on the importance of in home care in your life. The Office of Performance Evaluationreport outlines 5 recommendations to address this issue. But currently Medicaid does not have the staff to review and implement these recommendations. Idaho needs to fund Medicaid staff.