EDITORIAL: Budget move would help state's most vulnerable

It's an often thankless job that can take a sizable physical and emotional toll.

They're known as direct support professionals (DSPs), and they provide close, personal care for Hoosiers whose disabilities require intensive care.

Many of them work for Region nonprofits, including Tradewinds and Opportunity Enterprises, providing care and relying on state Medicaid reimbursement for funding.

Statewide, DSPs' wages are just slightly above the federal poverty level for a family of three and are 33 percent of the Indiana median income, according to Opportunity Enterprises.

This means high turnover in a position that begs for stability for the well being of the clients they serve.

The Indiana House wisely passed a budget that includes enough funding for DSPs to each receive about $1,700 more in income.

This represents a 5 percent increase in the pay rates for DSPs, Merrillville-based Tradewinds CEO Jon Gold said.

"I don't think I could do their jobs," Gold said of the DSPs. "They work with clients who, in some cases, have very difficult physical, behavioral and emotional needs. Some clearly need constant supervision, and it gets very physical and emotional at times."

Tradewinds already took its own steps to help boost the pay of its DSPs, recently approving an 18 percent raise over two or three years without state reimbursement.

But the need for a livable wage throughout the state remains.

Now the Senate must act to ensure that the final budget approved at the end of the 2017 legislative session includes these important funds.

It's part of a $10 million investment that ultimately will leverage $20 million in federal matching funds.

We all have a social duty to help those profoundly unable to help themselves.

This budget provision is but a small step in that greater direction.