A staffing crisis is threatening services for severely disabled people in New York City, primarily due to low wages and high turnover among Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). These crucial caregivers assist over 130,000 New Yorkers, yet earn an average of just over $18 an hour, which can be less than entry-level fast food jobs. Rupert Pearson, head of the Southeast Bronx Neighborhood Center, stresses the urgency of addressing pay disparities to ensure quality care and attract more workers to the sector, as existing wages represent a significant barrier to recruitment and retention.
Despite the critical nature of their work, DSPs in New York City earn an average of just over $18 an hour, which is insufficient for such demanding roles.
Pearson noted that many Bronx agencies pay around $17, little more than the city's $16.50 minimum wage, highlighting the longstanding issue of underpayment for DSPs.
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