Moorhead Non-Profit Says More Money Needed
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A Moorhead company that provides services to people with developmental disabilities runs a busy activity center for its clients.
Access of the Red River Valley is also part of a national campaign to help home and community based services get more funding.
Access of the Red River Valley has a center where its clients can hang out, relax and play video games.
A campaign aims to better the company’s wages and services, like the center.
While Scott Ecker isn’t too confident with shuffling cards, he’s sure the Michael Czichotzki Learning Center is benefiting clients with Access of the Red River Valley.
“We have a lot of regulars who come here and they like to do crafts or have favorite games they play or just talk with friends and things like that,” said Activities Coordinator Scott Ecker.
Liz Wolf works with her client Chris.
She’s known him for four years and she says the game–filled center is good for him.
“He loves it, sometimes it takes a little bit of a push to get clients to do something but in the end they come here and have a good time,” said Direct Care Professional Liz Wolf.
While clients are enjoying themselves at the center, leaders are working to make sure the center stays top notch.
Executive director Kathy Potter says the company is part of a state wide initiative to help increase funding for home and community–based services by five percent.
“The direct care professionals do a phenomenal job. They’re our greatest asset and without them I’m not sure where we’d be, and we need to pay them. The turnover is dramatic in this industry,” said Potter.
Leaders say a five percent boost in 2014 helped address a crisis, but rates for these kinds of services are far behind the pace of inflation.
“They deserve more than that. It’s a tough industry; we’ve seen so many expenses going up; all our workers compensation, health benefits continue to increase,” said Potter.
A proposed budget increase many at this center would benefit from.
“Having a place to come that’s not only a safe place but it free so that makes a huge difference,” said Wolf.
The “5% Campaign” is looking for a funding increase in each of the next two years.
State Senator Kent Eken is sponsoring the bill.
