Audio Minutes of the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee

If you would like to view a link to the original file hosted by the state if Utah Click here.

If using the States file use this summary to help you navigate: The first section at 2:18 minutes is a presentation on state wages. At 16:40 in (-2:24:37) Nathan Checketts and Tracy Gruber talk mostly about state employees as well as some information about private DSPs. Legislators have questions for Tracy Gruber regarding the state of developmental disabilities in the State of Utah starting at 31:10 (-2:10:05). Public comment starts at 43:45 and is worth hearing, and then two provider representatives, Dustin Erickson with CTA and Troy Friden with Chrysalis share their thoughts and field questions starting at 50:56 (-1:50:22)). Sen Jake Anderegg R-Lehi, chair of the Social Services Appropriations Committee, shares his thoughts on the crisis of care and relays an unfortunate death of a child with Autism that occurred in American Fork last year. He notes that the high turnover makes it very difficult to provide quality care and suggest Utah is failing as a state to support people with developmental disabilities. He believes solving this problem is likely the most important and meaningful thing we can do in the state 1:05:25 (-1:36:53)

Direct Support Professional Pay in Private and Public Settings.

Paying caregivers a competitive wage is essential for the health and safety of people with developmental disabilities. Without competitive wages, qualified caregivers will not be attracted to this essential field. And without competitive wages, well-trained and seasoned caregivers will not stay. This is true regardless of where the person lives or where the care is provided.

Today, most people with disabilities live in community-based settings, but a few individuals with disabilities still live in state-run institutions. The State of Utah Department of Human Services (DHS) is responsible for supporting and overseeing community-based settings AND DHS is responsible for operating the last remaining state-run institution for people with developmental disabilities in the state: the Utah State Developmental Center (USDC).

As of the writing of this letter, the DHS website is advertising starting wages for Caregivers at the USDC between $16.00/hr. and $18.21/hr. The Governor’s own budget indicates that these USDC staff are paid below market by between 15% and 34%. While currently, the rates paid by DHS within the State’s home and community based provider system only sustain an average starting wage of about $12.50/hr for Direct Support Professionals doing the exact same work in the community.

The work of Direct Support Professionals in the institution and in the community is the same. The discrepancy between what DHS is paying for caregivers in an institutional setting, and what providers are able to pay DSPs with state-set rates is alarming and is indicative of a system that gives preference to institutional settings, not with a system that is seeking to support and strengthen community services.

To be clear, the work that caregivers provide at the USDC is essential. They are needed, and their compensation of $16-$18/hr. is well-earned. Without competitive wages like this, essential services at the USDC would not be sustainable. It is challenging and noble work and well worth wages in excess of $16/hr. However, that work is very similar to the work done by Direct Support Professionals in community-based settings. Their work is equally challenging and equally noble. Their work is every-bit worthy of similar compensation to those caregivers working at the USDC. And people with disabilities living in the community deserve to have staff supporting them with comparable skills and tenure. This is only achievable with similar pay.

We call on representatives at DHS and the state of Utah to increase their rates in order for DSP wages to equal those of Caregiver positions at the USDC.

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