The Problem:
Idaho continues to face a serious shortage of direct care workers who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). Low wages, limited benefits, and few training opportunities make it difficult to recruit and retain workers. As a result, many people with disabilities struggle to find the support they need to live and work in their communities, and families are often forced to fill the gaps.
Action:
The Idaho Developmental Disabilities Council created the Our Care Can’t Wait Advocacy Toolkit, a cross-disability resource designed to help people with disabilities and families share their experiences with policymakers. The toolkit explains the impact of the direct care workforce shortage and provides simple tools for advocacy, including guidance for writing letters and sharing personal stories. The Council distributed the toolkit through the DD Network, service providers, and its website to reach individuals and families across the state.
Results:
Advocacy partners quickly used the toolkit to organize action. The Center on Disabilities and Human Development, Independent Living Centers, and service providers hosted letter-writing campaigns, resulting in nearly 1,000 letters sent to state legislators about the direct care workforce crisis. These efforts helped elevate the issue with policymakers and highlighted how workforce shortages affect daily life for people with disabilities and their families.
Unique Role of the Council:
The Idaho DD Council has a long history of empowering individuals with disabilities and families to share their lived experiences. The Council is uniquely positioned to connect advocates, organizations, and policymakers to drive change on critical workforce issues.