This brief slideshow gives information you need to support increasing wages for people who provide supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

1. ISS Benchmark

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