Michigan Direct Care Workers for People with Disabilities are Facing a Cut in Pay

Michigan Direct Care workers were given a pittance of a wage increase of $2 per hour to continue providing care to people with developmental and other disabilities during the Covid Pandemic. It helped, but now direct care workers will be losing even that if the state does not move to fund these workers.

An opinion piece from Bridge Michigan, “Michigan direct care workers, families headed for choppy waters” by Robert Stein, Todd Culver, and Robert White, 12/02/20, warns of what lies ahead if state government does nothing to prevent this undermining of an already fragile system of care for people with disabilities.

Robert Stein is general counsel of the Michigan Assisted Living Association, Todd Culver is CEO of Incompass Michigan and Robert White is a parent advocate.

Here are some excerpts:

"Many people are approaching the end of 2020 with a sense of relief and hope for a better new year. But for those Michigan families who care for someone with a mental illness or developmental disability, Jan. 1, 2021 is a day fraught with dread.

"That’s the date Michigan’s budget will no longer provide its $2 hourly pay increase for the direct care workers these families rely upon. As a result, they may lose the help and support they need to manage their busy households, continue their employment and ensure the best possible help for their loved ones." 

Last Spring, “more than $100 million in federal funds was matched by a generous $40 million in state appropriations to ensure ongoing direct care worker support.” 

“…The work our state’s direct care workers do is arduous, important and noble, and their positive impact is widespread, with over one million Michiganders relying upon the support direct care workers provide.“

If nothing happens, direct care workers will receive a cut in pay. 

“This will exacerbate Michigan’s direct care worker shortage. Current turnover in the field already is a staggering 37 percent and growing. Meanwhile, demand for the services these workers provide has never been higher. The COVID-19 pandemic and all the stress and uncertainty it has produced has undoubtedly strained the collective mental health of Michiganders, and families throughout the state are struggling to deal with the fallout.“

...“Direct care worker salaries are tied to state Medicaid funding, which, at present, are exceedingly low. Today’s workers currently receive, on average, a starting wage of $10.70 per hour, with many receiving minimal or no additional health or other benefits. When one considers that the average starting wage at a retail outlet or a fast-food restaurant is typically anywhere from $11 to $14 per hour, it’s clear to see that we can and must do better for Michigan’s direct care workforce. “

As we know, COVID-19 has not gone away and neither has the burden on people with disabilities, their families, and direct care workers to maintain some sense of normality and hope for the future. Direct care workers’ wages “…should continue to reflect the extraordinary responsibility they bear. “ 

“We urge state policy leaders to act before the end of the year to continue the funding needed to extend the $2 per hour as a permanent increase through 2021 to ensure the well-being of everyone.”

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This is a good time to figure out who your state legislators are, if you do not already know, and keep those contacts available for the year ahead. You may get to know individual aides who work for legislators and the governor and have an easier time of getting your message across.

Here are some useful contacts:

Contact the Governor 

Find your state representative

Find your state senator

 Update from a FaceBook comment: "The gov's office submitted a supplemental budget request on 12/3, one of the items is an extension of the $2/hr increase through March 31. Still a drip-drip-drip approach, but better than cutting it at the end of the month."