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Vincent Renteria is a senior community case manager at OHI. He lives in Carmel.
For the past 12 years, I’ve worked in disability support services — first as a direct support professional, and for the past nine years as a case manager at OHI. I still do direct support work as needed as well, so I have more than one job. I do this work to help the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our society have a chance to live their best lives. I also do this work to feed my family.
The most rewarding part of my job is connecting the members I serve with the supports that ensure their safety, security and quality of life. But lately, it’s been harder and harder to do that. I’m deeply concerned about the suspension of the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for direct care workers covered by MaineCare reimbursement rates in the biennial budget.
Without adjustments and increases, my family and the people we support suffer. I will not be able to afford food for the table, electricity for power, oil for heat, funds for daycare, gas for my car, clothes, or time away from work. And I’m not alone. The whole community feels the impact.
Our workforce will continue to shrink. More group homes will likely close. More people will be left with no one to help them.
Who will be there to bathe, dress, and feed our loved ones? Who will take them to appointments, check their medications, and monitor their health and safety?
There is already a major staffing crisis. Decisions like suspending the COLA only make it worse.
I don’t want to work two or three jobs forever, and I shouldn’t have to. We all deserve to do more than just survive. But for that to happen, rates need to reflect today’s reality.
I’ve seen what happens when we get it right. I supported an older woman who was struggling to live safely on her own. With case management and the right support staff, she is now safe and thriving in her home. Another member I support was able to remain in his shared living arrangement of over 15 years because we secured additional hours for a direct support professional to help in the home.
Support staff are on the front lines. They are keeping people safe. We cannot afford to damage this workforce any further.
Lawmakers can and should choose to restore and allocate funding for COLAs in the biennial budget. The health and dignity of our loved ones and neighbors depend on it.
