ACTION REQUIRED: CONTACT GOVERNOR PARSON
Your voice is needed!
Missourians with disabilities want to remain independent in their own homes and the Missouri Legislature needs to prioritize this funding. Let them know how you feel!
Governor Parson has released his fiscal year 2023 budget. Now it is time for the Missouri Legislature to begin their work on the budget. we must let our legislators know how important the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) are to Missourians with disabilities.
Last year, despite the governor’s recommended cuts to CDS, the Missouri Legislature passed a 5.29% increase in funding for the program. As we know this increase was ultimately vetoed by the Governor. This is unacceptable! The CDS program provides critical personal care services to nearly 40,000 individuals with disabilities throughout Missouri. These services allow people to remain safe, healthy, and independent in their own homes.
We are asking Advocates across the state to reach out to members of the House Subcommittee on Appropriations-Health, Mental Health, and Social Services to ask them to include additional funding for CDS providers in the FY23 budget. This funding is necessary for Missourians with disabilities and seniors to continue to receive quality personal care services in their own homes and for their attendants to receive a living wage for the important work they do.
Click one of these buttons to create a Twitter post
Or you can send an email or letter. Here are some samples:
- Sample Email/Phone/Letter Script – Consumer
Good afternoon/Dear, Representative: My name is _____________ and I live in _______________. I am a person with a disability and I use Consumer Directed Services to live in my home and participate in my community. Without CDS I would not be able to be independent, and I would have to live in a nursing home, which I do not want to do. Please increase the provider rate so that I can continue to live independently. As minimum wage continues to increase it makes it harder for me to keep attendants, as they can earn more money working at a retail store. Please increase the provider rate so that I can continue to receive CDS, live in my home, and pay attendants a living wage. Warmly, ________
- Sample Email/Phone/Letter Script – Attendant
Good afternoon/Dear, Representative: My name is _____________ and I live in _______________. I am a personal care attendant for a person with a significant disability. I assist them with activities of daily living such as using the restroom, bathing, getting dressed and eating meals, among other things. Without personal care attendant services, the individual I assist would not be able to live in the community. I enjoy my job, but I do not feel that the wage I am paid is adequate for the service I provide. It is crucial that the provider rate is increased so attendants, like myself, can be paid a living wage. Warmly, ___________
- Sample Email/Phone/Letter Script – Loved One
Good afternoon/Dear representative: My name is _______ and I live in ___________. My loved one has a significant disability and uses Consumer Directed Services to live independently in the community. I can not afford to quit my job to help them if they do not have an attendant. Please increase the provider rate so that my loved one is able to pay a living wage and continue living in the community. Warmly, ________
- Sample Tweet/Facebook Post – Consumer
I use CDS to live in my community. My attendant helps me _______, ___________, and _______. Without them I would not be able to live in my own home or work, and my attendant deserves a living wage. Please increase provider rates for CDS. #AdvocateForCDS #MoLeg
- Sample Tweet/Facebook Post – Attendant
I am an attendant through CDS. I help the individual I work for ______, _______, and _________. I love my job, but I could make more money working less hours at a retail store. Please increase provider rates so I can earn a living wage. #AdvocateForCDS #MoLeg
- Sample Tweet/Facebook Post – Loved One
Someone I love uses CDS to live independently in their home. I worry about their health and safety if they do not have access to these services. I cannot quit my job to help them; please increase the provider rates so they can live in their home and the attendants that work for them can be paid a living wage. #AdvocateForCDS #MoLeg
Contact Information
Subcommittee on Appropriations - Health, Mental Health, and Social Services
| NAME | PHONE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rep. Dirk Deaton |
@DirkEDeaton |
573-751-9801 |
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|
Rep. Peggy McGaugh |
@PeggyMcGaughR39 |
573-751-1468 |
|
|
Rep. Betsy Fogle |
@Fogle4MO |
573-751-9809 |
|
|
Rep. Hannah Kelly |
@HannahKellyMO |
573-751-2205 |
|
|
Rep. Doug Richey |
@dougrichey |
573-751-2238 |
|
|
Rep. Alex Riley |
@AlexRileyMO |
573-751-2210 |
|
|
Rep. Sarah Unsicker |
@SarahUnsicker |
573-751-1285 |
