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Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore
Three women in green shirts walk on a pathway toward the camera while holding a sign that says If Not Now When

Be an Advocate

Success Through Advocacy

Help us advocate for Delawareans with disabilities.

A direct support professional works with a woman with an Intellectual and Developmental disability

Thousands of Delawareans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) rely on Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) every day to live and participate safely in their communities.

Delaware is facing a serious DSP workforce crisis. State funding has not kept pace with rising wages or increasing operational expenses — including health benefits, training, compliance requirements, facility costs, and other essential service delivery expenses.

Without funding that reflects both competitive wages and the full cost of operating high-quality programs, service providers like Easterseals cannot sustain services. The result is high DSP turnover and service instability, directly impacting Delawareans with disabilities and their families.

A graphic showing statistics for Direct Support Professionals

The Funding Gap

The State has identified a shortfall of more than $25.7 million for services for adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities.

We are grateful that Governor Matt Meyer has proposed an additional $10.5 million in his recommended budget for Delaware — an important step forward.

Now, we must:

  • Ensure the Governor’s $10.5 million is included in the final budget.
  • Secure additional funding to close the remaining gap.
  • Assure that reimbursement rates (what the state pays providers for services) align with the real cost of delivering services.

How You Can Help:

 Contact your legislators below and urge them to support additional funding in the Delaware FY27 budget to support services for adults with I/DD. If you live in Delaware, visit the Delaware General Assembly website and type in your address to identify your State legislators in Delaware. 

A graphic showing how to input your address in the Delaware legislator websit

Here’s a sample of what you can tell your state legislator in your email:

  1. As your constituent, I am asking you to please support additional funding in the Delaware budget for day and residential services for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD).
  2. Delaware is experiencing a crisis in the Direct Support Professional workforce. State reimbursement rates do not reflect the full cost of providing services — including rising wages and increasing operational expenses such as benefits, training, transportation, and facility costs. 
  3. I appreciate Governor Meyer’s inclusion of $10.5 million for I/DD services and Direct Support Professionals in his proposed FY27 budget.
  4. I urge you, as my state legislator, to fully support this funding and work to strengthen it as the budget is finalized.   Without funding that reflects the true cost of care, the stability, safety, and quality of life of Delawareans with I/DD are at risk.

In your message, if you or your loved one relies on a DSP for assistance, tell your legislators why their service is so important. 

Your voice can make a difference as the Governor and your State Senators and Representatives make decisions on the Delaware budget this spring!

Thank you for advocating with Easterseals!

 

*National Core Indicators State of the Workforce in 2024 Workforce Study Survey (IDD)