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A good idea, but a big pricetag

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Illinois

* Letters to the editor on this topic have been popping up all over the place…

We are writing to you regarding the importance of House Bill 5931 that has recently passed the House and Senate with significant support and is now on its way to Governor Rauner’s desk.

This bill would raise the wages of Direct Support Professionals that provide services to children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. DSPs play a critical role by providing assistance to people with I/DD to learn daily living skills, find jobs, administer medications, provide transportation, and respond calmly to diffuse volatile situations that keep people out of the police departments or emergency rooms. Without DSPs, the health, safety, and welfare of thousands is jeopardized.

We serve as CEOs for three community organizations that combined serve more than 10,000 children and adults with I/DD. We are challenged with an unprecedented staffing crisis! This situation was not created by the current budget impasse, but rather years of neglect from our state government resulting in a system that ranks 47th in the nation. Today, the average wage for DSPs statewide is only $9.35/hour and community providers are reporting staff vacancy rates as high as 30 percent. With more than 23,000 people waiting for services, community providers can no longer respond to the needs in their community.

Our disability system is on the brink of disaster in Illinois. House Bill 5931 not only provides a livable wage to a valuable workforce, but it is the single most important measure that will stabilize a crumbling system. Governor Rauner must sign House Bill 5931.

More are here, here, here and here.

* The Tribune editorial page likes the concept, but not the cost…

The bill sounds swell but includes no funding source. Even if Rauner signs it, the state doesn’t have the roughly $300 million to pay for it (about half of that would be reimbursed by the federal government). Think check-kiting scheme.

Had legislators and Rauner hammered out a full-year budget, Perez and other parents might not be trapped in this vise.

But this is what happens when politicians care more about the November election than about helping the people they profess to help. The Democrat-led General Assembly, and eventually Rauner and many Republicans, decided this was the best they could do: Pass a half-measure and go home to campaign.

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:05 pm

Comments

Veto it.

We don’t have $150 million to give a select few raises.

Comment by Matt P Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:11 pm
Thoroughly evaluate your options.

The state is out of compliance with a federal court ordered consent decree primarily because of this issue. Two other states filed class action lawsuits last week because of this issue.

Take it seriously and try and fix it.

Comment by Waffle Fries Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:14 pm
Sign it. The caregivers now making $9.35 an hour are heroes and shouldn’t be forced to work for poverty wages. Underinvesting in disability services costs the state more in the long run.

DSPs work harder in a day than any Illinois Policy Institute mouthpiece ever has in their lives.

Comment by Reality Check Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:14 pm
==The bill sounds swell but includes no funding source.==

Most people want a robust set of government services. Most people don’t want to pay for the level of services they expect. This bill reflects that reality. Not every good idea needs a specific revenue source, but it’s pretty clear that the state needs more revenue.

http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/ppi_papers/47/

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:16 pm
The Trib sure doesn’t talk about that tax increase necessary for a full year budget that fixes anything

Comment by Steve Schnorf Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:17 pm
What Waffle Fries said. The state should get out ahead of this, unless it wants to set another unflattering precedent of having a federal court actually step in and order Medicaid rate adjustments. That may seem like a highly unlikely outcome, but this is getting out of hand.

Comment by Checkers Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:24 pm
This is a very real problem, especially for a population of people who need staff consistency and dependability. Fix it.

Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:25 pm
We sometimes lose employees to McDonalds. After all, they can make right about the same amount of money. At McDonalds, they rarely get hit by a customer. There’s no expectation that they will feed the customers or wipe the customer’s rear end after their lunch. All of those things are expected of direct service staff.

That’s why we lose employees to McDonalds. Wouldn’t it be nice if the job paid enough that the staff would stick around? Wouldn’t that stability be beneficial to individuals who too often have no one but the people who are hired to work with them?

Comment by Aldyth Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:34 pm
Unlike almost any other business community IDD agencies can’t raise prices, or adjust their staffing patterns. Try running any business where you can’t adjust your price, static funding for a decade, or the number of employees you have working. The state tells providers how they must staff. The only way to solve the problem is increased funding from the state.

Comment by 100 miles west Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:39 pm
For too long, Illinois has been trying to provide a system of care for developmentally disabled persons that is a parallel in nature and underfunds both systems.

Thirty years ago, the Illinois General Assembly saw the writing on the wall and began the long and heated process of moving people out of institutions and into community settings. At the same time, Illinois has continued to cling to their large state operated developmental centers.

While there have been some closures such as Jacksonville and Lincoln DD Centers, the closure process is highly charged and no lawmaker wants to see their local DD center close. Governor Quinn was roasted in southern Illinois for trying to close the Murray Developmental Center.

In order to continue to continue the process of moving to community care, those providing the care have to be paid a wage they can support themselves on. As long as Illinois clings to trying to have it both ways, both the state operated systems and the community system will suffer and be underfunded.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:49 pm
Bruce Rauner’s Labor Department should tell those receiving unemployment benefits that they need to take one of these $9.35 an hour jobs or lose their benefits. The jobs gap will be filled or the state will start saving money by paying fewer benefits to those who are not working. Rauner is reluctant to enforce the conservative beliefs he says he has.

Comment by Muscular Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:59 pm
== Waffle Fries - Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:14 pm: “Thoroughly evaluate your options.
The state is out of compliance with a federal court ordered consent decree primarily because of this issue. Two other states filed class action lawsuits last week because of this issue. Take it seriously and try and fix it. ==

This is about meeting federal compliance.

How does one meet federal compliance without increasing funds to attract employees?

Comment by Mama Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:07 pm
Mama - to your comment, I believe a federal judge could go as far as direct the defendent to raise wages for frontline staff. I believe this is the case in Rhode Island. How the state pays for that is not on the judge to decide.

Comment by Waffle Fries Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:09 pm
–The bill sounds swell but includes no funding source. Even if Rauner signs it, the state doesn’t have the roughly $300 million to pay for it–

When has the cost of something (outside of political cost) ever been considered in the Illinois legislature? Sign it and throw it on the pile of overdue bills and debt.

Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:14 pm
@Mama

=How does one meet federal compliance without increasing funds to attract employees?=

Ever hear of “workfare” Mama? No work, no welfare check.

Besides, have you looked at the Illinois unemployment and low labor participation rated recently? There are plenty of lazy people out there if these jobs go begging….

Comment by Illinois Bob Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:16 pm
@Aldyth

=At McDonalds, they rarely get hit by a customer. There’s no expectation that they will feed the customers…=

That’s right, Aldyth. No feeding of customers at MacDonalds…sheesh! My guess is that being hit is pretty low on these jobs as well…

Comment by Illinois Bob Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:19 pm
@Illinois Bob - Are you honestly suggesting that the State hire “lazy” people to provide care for profoundly disabled people? These are positions that require skill, patience and training. The stakes are incredibly high. A mistake can cost the state huge amounts of money.

Comment by Delimma Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:25 pm
Ever actually done that job, Bob?

Comment by Steve Schnorf Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:26 pm
Illinois Bob: Let me ask you something, have you ever changed the soiled pants on an adult?

Have you tried to calm down a 200 lb. person who is upset about something?

Have you ever tried to change the soiled sheets on an adult’s bed in the middle of the night while?

I didn’t think so. Maybe you should stick things you know something about.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Sorry for the “typos”, forgot to check my comments before I posted.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:28 pm
Bob, There is a long list of Medicaid criteria that DSP jobs must meet: criminal background checks, drug sceens, CANT reviews, Rule 132/116/115, CPR, First Aid, OIG Rule 50,. A local provider recently had to go through 500 applications to find 20 that met the requirements and 10 left before 6 months ended and after 4 weeks training. This is not going to be cheap, but the issue is not going away.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:35 pm
Illinois Bob - getting hit, scratched, knocked down happens all the time. The above mentioned personal care is a bonus. The FBI background check and mandatory drug testing, 40 hours of classroom training and 80 hours of OJT plus passing meds, etc. is hard to get at even $10- an hour. The inability to compete means lots of openings, mandated overtime and burnout. Also, 50% of the is fed match. Lets start by cutting the two state fairs, the HS drivers ed subsidy, close historic sites, and cut hours at state parks…

Comment by 100 miles west Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:36 pm
Illinois Bob: Let me ask you something, have you ever changed the soiled pants on an adult? YES. I’VE TAKEN CARE OF SENIOR ADULTS WITH THAT PROBLEM

Have you tried to calm down a 200 lb. person who is upset about something? MANY TIMES, AND BIGGER. I WORK IN CONSTRUCTION.

Have you ever tried to change the soiled sheets on an adult’s bed in the middle of the night while? YEP. SEE ITEM 1.

I’VE ALSO TAKEN CARE OF CHILDREN, CHANGED DIAPERS, AND FED THEM. CLEANED UP BEDS IN WHICH THEY GOT SICK.

I didn’t think so. Maybe you should stick things you know something about. YOU’RE AN IGNORANT IDIOT.

Comment by Illinois Bob Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:36 pm
@GIVE ME A BREAK

Yes, yes, yes. I responded to each point in detail. I doubt he’ll post it.

Comment by Illinois Bob Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:38 pm
Take the money away from Rauner’s superstars to help pay for it & sign.

Comment by The Fool On The Hill Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:41 pm
I understand the “we can’t pay for it” part, but recruitment and retention is definitely at crisis level for the people who provide direct care to people with developmental disabilities. The hardest thing there is seeing someone who is wonderful at the job and loves it leave for anther because she/he can’t live on the wages.

Another challenge in terms of recruitment are the state-mandated qualifications: high school diploma or GED, clean criminal/nurse aide registry/other background checks, passing a state-mandated Test of Basic Education at a certain level, pass 40+ hours of classroom training plus 80 hours of on-the-job training. And a drug test…probably more I can’t think of.

Mind you, Rauner expressed regret at the court order that kept these services funded last and this fiscal year. If he’d had his way, he would have starved this beast, and it would not take much to down it.

Comment by Earnest Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:42 pm
@zatoichi

Seems like most of the qualifications can be provided in the 4 week training. Too many drugees and criminals applying?

Comment by Illinois bob Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:43 pm
The people who oppose things like this are probably people who don’t have a clue as to what is involved with these jobs. We get ridiculous comments like this: “to give a select few raises.”

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:44 pm
It is really hard to read this comment thread without throwing up in one mouth. So many opinions, so little actual knowledge, or care for what this issue actually means in real life terms.

@100 miles west has it exactly right. This is an “industry” that has no ability to increase the revenue side of their equation and have had no help from the state in over a decade. The lack of wage increase has created a situation where it is more far more lucrative and less stressful to work in the fast food industry than it is to provide critical, life saving service for people who literally have no other option.

I hope for your own sake none of you find yourself or a loved one, god forbid, suffering a traumatic brain injury requiring constant care, and being left with the your only option being cared for by the guy who couldn’t get hired mopping the floor at McDonald’s

Comment by ILPundit Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:51 pm
I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that @Illinois Bob is voting for Trump. Just a hunch.

Comment by ILPundit Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:56 pm
There is a big difference between trying to calm down a 200 pound person who has a developmental disability and a functional IQ in the single digits vs. an adult construction worker.

Comment by Delimma Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:19 pm
=I hope for your own sake none of you find yourself or a loved one, god forbid, suffering a traumatic brain injury requiring constant care, and being left with the your only option being cared for by the guy who couldn’t get hired mopping the floor at McDonald’s =

Amen.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:21 pm
@Delimma

=There is a big difference between trying to calm down a 200 pound person who has a developmental disability and a functional IQ in the single digits vs. an adult construction worker=

Yep. An irate pipeliner is a LOT meaner…and more violent!LOL

Comment by Illinois bob Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:23 pm
Perhaps meaner and maybe more violent, but also capable of understanding what they are doing, what you are saying, and responsible for their own actions. In addition, if you merely protect yourself from a pipeliner, you aren’t likely to trigger a DHS audit and potential fines.

Comment by Delimma Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:28 pm
==An irate pipeliner is a LOT meaner…and more violent!LOL==

What is wrong with you? There is absolutely NOTHING funny about this topic.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:30 pm
This will be vetoed due to no funding source. Everyone knows Illinois cannot keep trying to pay for more services without figuring out a way to fund them or it just adds more debt. Best option here would be to attach a funding source and get these workers a raise they deserve.

Comment by Maximus Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:33 pm
@Delimma

=if you merely protect yourself from a pipeliner, you aren’t likely to trigger a DHS audit and potential fines.=

No, but I’d rather go up against the DHS than the pipefitters union…

Comment by Illinois Bob Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:34 pm
@100 miles west

=Lets start by cutting the two state fairs, the HS drivers ed subsidy, close historic sites, and cut hours at state parks…=

I’m with you on the state fairs and drivers ed subsidies. The fairs should only have corporate sponsors and drivers ed should be privatized.

Comment by Illinois bob Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:37 pm
Don’t Feed The Trolls!!!!!!

Comment by illini Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:37 pm
==Best option here would be to attach a funding source and get these workers a raise they deserve.==

Exactly. But that takes courage and our legislators and Governor haven’t exactly been exhibiting profiles in courage.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:39 pm
Developmentally disabled community was assured that the movement to community based living would be beneficial and provide for dignity in life…and at a lower cost. That all sounds good, but the state has cheaped out on the most vulnerable among us for the past ten years. It is sad to see good staff forced out b/c of low wages. This is what happens, in part, when govenment services are privatized. Costs continue to go up and service quality goes down b/c private agencies are not given adequate funding to maintain proper care. When you cant find qualifed employees you have to increase salaries.

Comment by Johnnie F. Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:41 pm
@illini

=Don’t Feed The Trolls!!!!!!=

and a “troll” is anyone who doesn’t agree with you? Typical…

Comment by Illinois bob Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:42 pm
Bob:

If we want to build something we’ll come to you. If we want information on this topic we’ll go to someone who doesn’t fancy themselves an expert because they changed a diaper once.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:49 pm
- An irate pipeliner is a LOT meaner…and more violent!LOL -

As someone that actually works with pipeliners, BS.

Unless it’s just those non-union fellas you’re so fond of.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:52 pm
Saw a help wanted sign the other day for Krispy Kreme. Starting pay - $9.00/hr. Or, I can go care for the developmentally disabled for $9.35/hr. Making donuts seems on par with caring for the disabled.

That right there shows where we place our priorities.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:54 pm
@Illinois Bob wants to “Make Illinois Great Again”. Where can I get my red hat?

Comment by ILPundit Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:57 pm
My definition of a Troll is this - someone who has a simplistic answer for any topic being discussed without having the facts/figures and reasoned argument to make a cogent and convincing case for his/her position. In addition it would be someone who, at times, seems to be prone to make the most ridiculous and convoluted statements just to incite other commenters. Yet I realize that some actually believe the drivel they are writing.

I have fed you and others in the past. And I relish a good and honest discussion when when I disagree with some commenters. Give me facts. Not hype, hyperbole, innuendo and simplistic comments disguised as serious discussion.

Comment by illini Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 5:10 pm
Trolls provide one service- they mirror what is usually said by commenters on posts that are not reined in like Rich does here. Many, many people read this site and can distinguish between trolling and commenting. Many of those same people never comment, but they are learning from the information those of you who have been teaching the rest of us here for years. Many times that information may help a legislator or a non- profit director or a person just looking for knowledge on a certain subject. So, while troll feeding is distasteful, today the information provided to refute trolling was very valuable for me at least to better understand the rigorous hiring criteria for these DSPs. Hopefully some of the media professionals who read here, too, will include that criteria in their future releases.

And if I am ever trollful, and Rich lets it through, call me on it!

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 5:29 pm
I don’t think Bob is a troll, I think his philosophy isn’t shared by most who post on here. Sometimes, like all of us, he says things that I think are silly, but most of the time he says things I simply disagree with. However, he does remind us that there is a world of people out there who disagree with us on here. They believe the state should live within its revenues. They believe that some or many of the people who consume state paid human services aren’t (or shouldn’t be) entitled to them. They believe taxes are already too high, and that raising them is both wrong and counterproductive. To most of us on here, people who generally share his philosophies are selfish, thoughtless, fortunate, self-centered, etc. To most of them we are soft-hearted and headed, more than willing to spend other peoples money, unwilling to crack down on government fraud, who believe there is a lot of waste in government, and that government overextends its reach already and shouldn’t attempt to be the solver of all problems.

These basic disagreements, I believe, show us why no one gets exactly what he/she wants from government and that most political decisions and actions are attempts to find some middle ground among competing philosophies.

Thanks, Bob. I believe you perform an important role, though I also thing you probably exaggerate what you believe to get reactions from people on here.

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 5:49 pm
Just wondering out loud. How come MJm doesn’t present abill raising minimum wage? Is he afraid of a veto? why doesnt he address this through the voters? Or is he a Republican in disguise and he really doesnot care about the working poor amd middle class?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 8:42 pm
Under the Olmstead Ruling the disabled have federal right to state institutions as a CHOICE. During the Quinn administration so much money was wasted on giving money to his pals that had nothing to do with services for the disabled. The late Judy Barr Topinka said it best, “there would be money for state centers, and the community if people weren’t lining their pockets with the state’s money”. Couldn’t agree more.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 9:31 pm
Steve Schnorf @ 5:49 - thank you for your very well-thought out and measured opinion of why the divide between those who want to cut governmental size, and those who want to simply increase taxes, exists.

Comment by Tom K. Tuesday, Aug 9, 16 @ 7:06 am