Finally this issue got some attention, thanks to PACT, Desert ADAPT and ADAPT of Texas!
ADAPT/Personal Attendant Coalition of TexasCelebrate National Caregivers Day – Challenged Governor Abbott to Support Community Attendants
Friday, February 16, 2024 is National Caregivers Day. It is a day where we honor the contributions of unpaid and paid caregivers, also known as Direct Support Professionals and Community Attendants. These individuals provide the support services to people with disabilities and older Americansu that allow them to live in the community, Age in Place with dignity and as independently as possible.
On Friday, February 16th at 11:45am members of ADAPT/PACT delivered a 3ft X 4ft letter to Governor Abbott at the Colorado side of the Governor’s mansion. The letter demands that Governor Abbott:
***Prioritize and Publicly Support Necessary Appropriations to meet a Livable Wage and Benefits for Community Attendants who Contribute to our Independence in the Community;
***Meet with Members of ADAPT/PACT
“Why won’t you meet with us, Governor Abbott, on this critical issue?” asked Cathy Cranston, PACT Organizer. “We demand RESPECT and wages and benefits that reflect the work we do.”
KVUE STORY
Austin American Statesman Bridget Grummet
in Ei Paso Desert ADAPT held their event in concert with us!!
KFOX 14
BACKGROUND
Current base wage for home and community based services(HCBS) is $10.60 per hour, no health benefits or vacation;
There are approximately 300,000 Community Attendants;
Majority are female (88%), persons of color (76%), medianage 50
————-letter to Gov
February 16, 2024
Dear Governor Abbott,
Today is Feb 16th National Caregiver Day. This day has been set aside to honor the workers that provide people with disabilities of all ages the essentials from personal
care, feeding, cognitive assistance and giving emotional support.
In our community, we call these caregivers Community Attendants or Direct Support Professionals.
ADAPT of Texas and Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas (PACT) represent the approximately 300,000 Community Attendants that work within our state and
Medicaid funded home and community-based service delivery system. Through the years, you have consistently failed to make this population of health support professionals a priority, however, HCBS programs remain a priority of the disability and aging population. The need for HCBS and a strong and well-paid Community
Attendant Workforce with benefits is essential for services to be provided. $10.60/hr.,increase that it is, does not cut it. Due to your inattention, we now have a crisisnwhere individuals and agencies cannot fund workers, so services are in real jeopardy.
We have not seen you come out to support Community Attendants even after outcries from the disability advocates and activists. You have chosen to spend 8 billion dollars on razor wire and floatation devices rather than on health and human service programs like wages and benefits for Community Attendants.
Economic independence and HCBS programs are integral to our community. You of all Governors should understand that.
We want you to do the following:
> Meet with members of ADAPT of Texas and PACT.
> Prioritize and publicly support necessary appropriations to meet a livable wage and benefits for the Community Attendants who contribute to our independence in the community.
We look for your reply from you no later than March 31, 2024.
Community Attendants Equal Independence!
Free Our People!
The ADAPT of Texas/PACT Community
Cathy Cranston, flacacata@aol.com, 512.650.6543
Nancy Crowther, ncrowther@gmail.com, 512.808.7486