News Release: Milestone Decisions Visits Boise to Advocate for Disability Support Workers

Nonprofit Milestone Decisions Takes Advocacy to Idaho's Capital, Urging Legislators to Boost Wages for Disability Support Providers

MOSCOW, JANUARY 2024 -  Milestone Decisions, the nonprofit with 24/7 care service for disabled adults, is sending twenty representatives to Boise, Idaho on Jan. 31st and Feb. 1st to advocate for bills supporting the direct support professional (DSP) shortage to Idaho State Legislators from the 6th District. 

The representatives will participate in “Operation Advocacy” by LINC, which will provide a storytelling workshop prior to the day of action in conjunction with the Consortium of Idahoans with Disabilities (CID). The group from Milestone Decisions hopes to educate Rep. Lori McCann and Rep. Brandon Mitchell about the shortage of DSPs due to low funding and supplies in the industry. Three bills will be proposed to increase Medicaid, the primary source of income for DSPs, and therefore enhancing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) and DSP career pipeline. 

This will be the second year Milestone Decisions attends Idaho’s capital for DSP activism. The group will consist of ten DSPs and ten clients. 

“We hope to make this an annual thing until we see change,” said Thea Fuhs, the Milestone Decisions Team Advocate. “We are much more prepared with Operation Advocacy and are excited to meet with Brandon Mitchell again since his interest he showed us last year.”

To help Milestone Decisions and other DSPs in the state of Idaho, call Legislators from district six to show support for the proposing bills: the Better Care Better Jobs Act, Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act and the Supporting our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act. 

About Milestone Decisions

The nonprofit offers residential habilitation services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities where they provide individualized services and supports that encourage individual choice and provide the greatest degree of independence possible in both Moscow, Idaho and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. As caregivers, their focus is ensuring that all their clients experience meaning and fulfillment through support and positive interactions with their staff and the community. Find more information on their website.

Nature of Assignment

Create a news release from information gathered by Milestone Decisions Team Advocate, Thea Fuhs, about the nonprofit and Operation Advocacy. Research and reflect the core news values:  timeliness, impact, prominence, proximity, conflict and human interest.