Workers who provide services to people living with intellectual disabilities and autism said there's a shortage of employees across the country.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said his proposed budget will help with that problem.

"Great organizations like Achieva have been forced to take out more debt. Families have been forced to cut back and others have been unable to live their best lives, that ends right here right now in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Shapiro said during a visit to Achieva's South Side office on Thursday.

His budget proposal would increase access to home and community-based services, support workers, plus end the state's emergency wait list for IDA services. It includes reimbursement rates for providers and direct support professionals. The budget has $483 million in federal and state funding to support rate increases to service providers.

“Proposes to both pay them more and make sure we bring more DSPs into this service space," Shapiro said.

It also includes $78 million to serve an additional 1,500 people in Pennsylvania on the wait list who have intellectual disabilities or autism — people who need support, such as Christy Wechtenhiser.
 

"I have a job coach and caseworkers who are able to give me funding to support me as an individual with special needs so I can grow into the adult I need to be," Wechtenhiser said.

The governor's office said there are 100 vacant positions at Achieva for direct support professionals.

By Candy Chapman,  WTAE (Click here to See the Clip)