Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council hosts annual legislative brunch
The Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council (BDDC) hosted its annual legislative breakfast at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, 2911 West 15th Street, on Friday, March 9 to discuss once again with local representatives the future of services funding for Brooklyn residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The event highlighted BFair2DirectCare, the call to action to remind state leaders that direct care not-for-profit agency workers deserve more financial help, as well as providing the opportunity to discuss the struggle to recruit and retain direct support professionals (DSPs).
“We’re in the midst of a crisis with our workforce,” explained Executive Director foof the Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC) Paul Cassone. “ The Guild is a great place and a great way to help people, but it’s also pretty challenging. With the minimum wage going up, they can get paid the same or better right now at Best Buy, Key Food or any of these stores, and that’s creating a real problem within the workforce.”