The stories shared by the nonprofit leaders provide real-life examples of how the workforce shortages are affecting their mission. Suspending admissions to programs, waitlists as long as six to eight months, low staff at nursing homes causing overwhelmed hospitals, and higher levels of trauma and emergencies are all results of this crisis.

 

"The worst is already happening," said Amy Staed, CEO of the Kentucky Association of Private Providers. "Because providers are closing their doors or forced to scale back services, individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities are having to leave the homes where they were thriving for sometimes over 20 years because the providers who support them cannot afford to stay in business. Without community-based services, institutionalization is the only option, and it's an inappropriate and very expensive option," explained Staed.

 

Speakers noted that the decades-long issues have reach a critical breaking-point because contract and reimbursement rates do not cover the full cost of services. Dr. Sheila Schuster, Executive Director of Advocacy Action Network noted that funding has not been increased for community mental health centers since 1999. "How many businesses could survive on the same amount of income coming in for over 20 years," asked Schuster.

 

The impact on young people was also highlighted. "While the Surgeon General reports that mental health issues facing our children, such as depression, anxiety, and even suicide, are widespread, the most important thing to note is that they are treatable and often times preventable," said Michelle Sanborn, President of the Children's Alliance.  "But they are only treatable and preventable with services and access to services," Sanborn emphasized.

 

The coalition is asking the Kentucky legislature to immediately direct funds to these organizations and work with them on systemic changes to rates and other contracting issues in the new fiscal year starting July 1. With American Rescue Plan Act funds, a record-level rainy day fund, and growing budget surplus, Kentucky is in a position to protect the most vulnerable residents and ensure that Kentuckians have access to quality care with the highest skilled employees for years to come. The funding investments also ensure a living wage for these employees and increases impacted Kentuckians ability to participate in the workforce. The coalition asks for:

• Bridge payment via legislation passed as early as possible during this legislative session, with an emergency clause that can sustain services through June.
• Rate increases in the next biennial budget to start July 1.
• A process to ensure regular cost of living adjustments, regular wage analysis, and incentives like student loan forgiveness, childcare assistance and other support for employees that reflect the commonwealth’s long-term commitment to the health and well-being of Kentuckians – especially our most vulnerable Kentuckians

 

The impact of the workforce crisis impacts every Kentuckian - there is no pandemic recovery without the health and human services sector. Without immediate intervention: "State-mandated services will suffer. Families of victims will suffer. The community will suffer,” said Angela Yannelli, CEO of the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

 

Kentuckians are asked to contact their legislators to urge them to prioritize the urgent requests of the coalition - solutions that demonstrate a commitment to serving the most vulnerable Kentuckians and are investments in strong communities that will continue to make the commonwealth a place where people want to work and live. "These stories should resonate with all of us. We call on our policymakers in Frankfort to work with us to find solutions to this crisis," said Betsy Johnson, President and Executive Director, Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities/Kentucky Center for Assisted Living.

 

We cannot afford to let the programs and services these organizations provide disappear.

 

There’s too much at stake.

 

Click here for a video of the press conference.

Click here for a summary of the issues and the requested solutions.

 

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About Kentucky Nonprofit Network: KNN is the state association of nonprofits, existing to strengthen and advance Kentucky’s nonprofit community. Celebrating 20 years of service and over 820 members strong, the association serves as a unified public policy voice for the nonprofit sector; a resource for nonprofit leaders, board members and other volunteers; and an information center on effective nonprofit organizational practices. For more information about Kentucky Nonprofit Network, visit www.kynonprofits.org .