The nearly five million direct care workers who support older adults and people with disabilities are the largest workforce in the U.S. But despite high demand, many are paid little more than minimum wage. A longstanding workforce shortage means people with disabilities who depend on those workers are left without the support they need.
-Judy Woodruff reports for PBS’s series, Disability Reframed
Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council
BKDDC is group of family members, people with disabilities and professionals who volunteer their time to improve the lives of people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities living in Brooklyn.
Thank You 2026 Family Support Fair Sponsors:
Wellbound For Special Needs
NeuSpark PDS
ACANY
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Join Advocacy Efforts TODAY!
Look Up Who Represents YOU!
https://www.mygovnyc.org/
or Scan the QR Code Below!
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Want to learn more about your health? Join STEPS2 at the CUNY School of Public Health!
The CUNY School of Public Health is doing a study for adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Half of the participants will learn about socialization and sexuality and the other half will learn about nutrition and physical activity. The assignment to the two programs will be based on a roll of the dice, so participants will not choose which program they receive. The study is for young adults ages 16 to 27 who receive services from disability providers in New York State. If a young adult is interested in participating, they will learn more about the study and then decide whether to consent to participate. If the young person is under 18 or has a legal guardian, the young person will be given the option to assent, and the legal guardian will be given the option to consent to participation.
Participants will receive a colorful and informative Participants Manual which they can keep and use for years to come. People in the study will also be asked to complete 4 short interviews and will receive a $25 gift card for each completed survey, for a total of $100. You can read more about the study by visitinghttps://cunyisph.org/steps2-study/.
If you or someone you support would like to participate, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/iL2gwrUCT4WJHehi7
You can also call (914) 365-8959 and leave a message letting us know that you would like to be placed on the waitlist. If and when a spot becomes available, our staff will reach out with more information about how to join. If you have any questions, please email us at steps2@sph.cuny.edu or call (914) 365-8959.
Please note–the curriculum shares information based on facts and is not value-based, which allows participants to incorporate their own beliefs and values. We think being a participant will be fun and helpful. It will also help us learn how best to serve people with developmental disabilities. We look forward to your participation. Remember you need to contact the team to participate!
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On behalf of IAC and NYDA – please see the attached template letter from NYDA for your agency to share with people you support, families, and elected officials, to ask them to send to the Governor, between now and the winter holidays.
Feel free to edit the letter without changing the focus. Personal stories and experiences always add to the impact and importance of the priorities.
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Governor Hochul is working on the NYS Budget NOW!
Tell her what we need: Join SOS’s Call The Governor Campaign!
We need to get her attention so she understands the importance of our workforce for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their families.
For the past 2 years, there has been no state investment for the direct care staff who work for not-for-profit agencies, just those who work in State Operated Facilities.
Please take 5 minutes to call Governor Hochul to urge her to include money for Direct Care Staff who work in non-profit provider agencies as one of her budget priorities.
Instructions:
Step 1: Call Governor Hochul’s office at 518-474-8390, Press 3, then press 2 to speak to a person or 1 to leave a message (NOTE: you may be on hold for a long time if you select to speak with a representative!)Script: My name is [YOUR NAME] from [YOUR CITY/TOWN] and I am a (person with IDD/family member of a person with IDD/friend of a person with IDD). I am calling to urge Governor Hochul to include money, in her Executive Budget Proposal for Direct Care Staff who work for the not-for-profit providers who support people with IDD. These workers are essential to the health, safety, and quality of life of people with IDD, but earn barely above minimum wage and struggle to support their own families. Our state has a terrible worker shortage because NY doesn’t pay a living wage for non-profit Direct Care Staff. We need Gov Hochul to include a wage increase for Direct Care Staff who work for NON PROFIT IDD PROVIDERS in her Executive Budget proposal.
Step 2: Please click on this link so we can track the number of calls to the
Governor. https://forms.gle/DcGgBUkNgbtPnmxX9
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