This brief slideshow gives information you need to support increasing wages for people who provide supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
2. Washington State’s Legislature sets the
“benchmark”, which is the hourly rate per
assessed & provided hour to be used for direct
care staff wages, associated taxes & benefits
Contracted Community Residential Supported
Living Program Providers must account for all
hours and dollars spent, and return all funds not
used for intended purposes
3. Since 2005, the Benchmark has increased only
4.3% (from $14.55 to $15.18)
In that same period of time, Minimum Wage in
Washington State, based on the cost of living, has
increased by 23% (from $7.35 to $9.04)
The Benchmark pays not only wages, but also
associated taxes & benefits for direct care staff
Average wage for entry level staff was $9.98 for
July 2009-June 2010 (before last benchmark cut)
Minimum wage is now $9.04 per hour
4. Typical Benchmark Spending composition
18% Direct Care Staff Wage
Taxes:
16% Federal, State, L&I, Une
mployment
66% Benefits: Paid Time
off, Medical, Dental, 401
(k), EAP
5. Health Care costs increasing – fewer providers
can afford to offer health care
As the economy recovers and unemployment
goes down, it will become even harder to attract
and retain quality staff
Average turnover rate for Community Residential
Supported Living Programs is already quite high.
July 2009 – June 2010 average turnover for all
providers was 39.3%
6. Your voice makes a difference - Contact your
legislators!
www.leg.wa.gov to find and email your Senator &
Representatives
1-800-562-6000 – toll free Legislative Hotline
Let them know the ISS Benchmark for Community
Residential Supported Living Providers needs to
increase
HB 1337 & SHB 2150 provide potential funding for a
benchmark increase without a burden on
Washington’s State budget resources by capturing
Federal matching dollars