Local politicians and social workers gathered at the Barber National Institute Thursday morning to discuss Governor Shapiro's 2024-2025 state budget proposal, which would improve services for people with intellectual disabilities or autism, and those working with them.

The proposed budget would eliminate the emergency waiting list for services for adults with intellectual disabilities/autism, and increase wages for those working with intellectually disabled adults from an average starting wage of $15 per hour to $17 per hour. 

"As the budget process moves forward, we will continue to lift up your voices to share why there is such need for these critical investments," said Valerie Arkoosh, Secretary of the PA Department of Human Services.

"We're looking forward to working with Senator Laughlin, [and] the general assembly, to make this multi-year growth strategy a reality. So that we can end this adult emergency waiting list once and for all, and build that bridge so that everyone can have their everyday life."

Arkoosh received support for her part of the budget from State Senator Dan Laughlin (R), as well as State Representative Harkins (D), State Representative Merski (D), and State Representative Banta (R). 

"This is a nonpartisan issue," said Merski. "When you have a family member who needs direct care support, and there's a waiting list for six months, you just want results, you don't want politics. And so it's important for me to make sure that we get this money funding places like the Barber National Institute, so that they can provide the resources to our families so that they're able to function."

"It's very encouraging," said Arkoosh, referring to the support she's received from local politicians. "I think that it was said by several of our speakers that caring for our vulnerable individuals in our community is not a partisan issue. It is a value that we all share as a very important value, and I am just so deeply grateful to everyone that's here today showing their support for the governor's proposal."

The Barber National Institute says the proposed budget would be a massive help to their organization.

"We certainly are in desperate need of this funding," said Patrick Barber, Senior Vice President of Administration. "And this funding we can then turn around and put into the compensation that we pay our direct care staff and for recruitment and retainment."

The proposed budget would invest $483 million from federal and state funding to support workers, and $78 million into supporting 1,500 Pennsylvanians who have an intellectual disability/autism.