Please sign this petition to protect Massachusetts residents with disabilities and the Human Services providers they rely on. ID/DD programs and services need to be protected as critical services amid the COVID-19 crisis. 

Human Services providers protect, care, and support thousands of individuals in congregate care and other supportive systems every day. Over the past week, hundreds of Day Programs have closed their doors in order to comply with guidance to limit the size of gatherings. Providers are reporting that they are days away from being unable to meet payroll and are laying off staff, closing programs and forced to consider closing their operations entirely. Human Services providers need immediate and sustained financial relief to preserve the safety net for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable individuals.

Safety net Human Service providers need the following:

1. Immediate Cash Flow and Steady Payments
   Frequent, ongoing payments to providers of human services in order to pay the personnel costs of dedicated staff who are working with this vulnerable population.
2. Access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Testing
   Similar to other sectors, Human Services providers are unable to provide PPE to their workforce who are caring for individuals who have the Coronavirus and working to prevent the spread of infection. Human Services providers should be prioritized alongside hospitals and health centers for PPE and testing.
3. Extraordinary Costs
   Providers are taking on extraordinary costs to manage the COVID-19 response. These costs include premium pay to retain trained staff, overtime and relief personnel, cost of supplies, additional sanitization services, and special transportation services.

Please sign and share this petition! With your signature and support, we will be able to impress upon the State and Federal Government the utter importance of not only our programs and people, but the human services industry as a whole.