Legislation to raise reimbursement levels - and thereby wages - for direct support staff will be heard by a critical committee on Monday, March 10th. It's vital that our legislators see us and hear from us on Monday. Come to Annapolis for the hearing at 1:00, meet with your legislators afterward (we suggest you make appointments for anytime between 3-8 p.m.), and then help hand-deliver copies of briefing sheets to all members of the House of Delegates and Senate.

 

  

If you can't go to Annapolis, call, email, or write to your legislators anytime next week.

 

To identify your legislators, go to mdelect.net. You can also use our legislative guide with complete contact information.

 

Background for speaking with or writing your legislators:

 

HB1266 / SB890 - Department of Health & Mental Hygiene-Minimum Wage Reimbursement - these are the bills that  will provide funds to keep direct service salaries at 50% over the minimum wage.

• State reimbursement rates have already eroded badly. The current hourly funding rate for community providers is $9.82.
• If the minimum wage is increased without addressing reimbursement rates for direct support staff - community providers like The Arc Baltimore will be competing with the fast food and retail industries to attract and keep competent and caring employees.
• Direct Support jobs are not minimum wage jobs. There are many requirements of direct support staff. The annual training requirements and daily demands on them to keep people safe, healthy and engaged in the community are numerous.
• Please include a personal message about your connection to this issue. Are you a family member, volunteer, Board member, staff person or have another reason for your concern over this issue?

To see a sample letter/email, click here. 

For more on the minimum wage/rate reimbursements, click here.