Community Based Services “Get Paid for Caregiving” Program

Community Based Services (CBS), a regional New York agency that serves people with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families, recently extended its service area and programming, including its new “Get Paid for Caregiving” program, beyond Westchester County to include Putnam, Dutchess and Orange Counties.

The agency’s “Get Paid for Caregiving” program helps family members who are caregivers by offering them paid training, flexible scheduling and competitive pay. The agency developed an easy on-boarding process and new technology to help family members clock in and out to get paid for the services they provide to their loved ones.

This innovative program solves many problems. Foremost, it helps family caregivers get reimbursed for time they spend caring for family members in need and it reduces the stress caregiving puts on home, work and family life. It also provides a solution to the shortage of non-family caregivers. According to the Global Coalition on Aging Report, 70% of Americans who reach age 65 will need long-term services and support. If nothing changes, the report predicts there will be a national shortage of 151,000 care workers by 2030, and a 355,000-caregiver shortfall by 2040.

Another problem with far-reaching implications is serving the growing number of people with disabilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 21% or 1 in 5 adults in New York have a disability. “With these numbers, the need to support more people with disabilities and their families is vital,” said Vicki Sylvester, CEO of Community Based Services.

The critical rise not only affects children and adults with a disability, it has a significant impact on their families as well. “Nearly one in ten families in the U.S. are directly affected by a person with intellectual disabilities at some point in their lives,” according to the Administration for Community Living.

On a national level, President Biden’s recently signed Executive Order offers new resources to remedy the caregiver shortage crisis. It is the most sweeping set of executive actions to improve care in the nation’s history and takes immediate action to enhance job quality for caregivers. Like CBS’s new programming, the Executive Order also provides resources for family caregivers that foster emotional well-being and stem the financial strain that caregiving has on a family.

Despite hiring challenges, CBS has expanded programming in many areas: jobs, housing, day services, respite, physical fitness and full community inclusion.
Innovative programming includes a new 10-acre community farm where people engage in hands-on agricultural and recreational activities to help them lead more functional lives and increase physical fitness. Plans are also underway to expand the Hudson Valley InterArts Center, which will create vibrant regional art hubs offering music, crafts, dance, drama and more.

About CBS
Community Based Services serves people with developmental disabilities at all stages of life. The agency delivers comprehensive, personalized care in a family-focused setting. Established in 1981, CBS offers residential, day services, employment, training and in-home supports. If you know someone who needs help in these areas, visit the new CBS website: https://commbasedservices.org or call for eligibility information and to get started: Jennifer Havrilla, 914-236-1128 or jhavrilla@commbasedservices.orgAlso, CBS is currently hiring Direct Service Professionals. Visit the career section of the website to review open positions.