Transforming Care in Georgia
![Transforming Care in Georgia]()
Advocating for Fair Wages and Stronger Support Systems for Care
Advocating for Fair Wages and Stronger Support Systems for Care
At the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), we are dedicated to ensuring that home care workers receive fair wages and recognition for the critical services they provide. These workers offer essential care to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and people needing long-term support. In Georgia, we’ve focused on securing increased funding for care programs and establishing a wage floor to ensure that direct care workers are compensated fairly for their vital work.
In the 2024 legislative session, NDWA worked to secure more funding for Georgia’s four Medicaid HCBS programs to raise wages for direct care workers. We achieved major wins, with funding boosts for all HCBS programs: the Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP), Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP), New Options Waiver (NOW), and Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP).
These unprecedented increases, based on rate studies calling for higher wages for direct care workers, mark a significant victory in our fight to improve pay and job security for Georgia’s care workforce.
Securing funding was only the first step. NDWA has been actively advocating with Georgia Medicaid and the Department of Community Health to ensure that these increased funds lead to meaningful wage increases for direct care workers.
We’re actively engaging lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum, and are working with other key legislators to build momentum for a wage floor across all HCBS programs. We are committed to ensuring that the funding secured in 2024 leads to fair pay for the workers who are the backbone of these programs.
As we move toward the 2025 legislative session and the future, NDWA will continue to push for higher guaranteed wages across all HCBS programs. We are also advocating for Georgia to comply with the federal CMS Ensuring Access to Medicaid Rule, which requires states to ensure that payment rates for care providers are adequate for maintaining access to services.
One of our key objectives is the passage of a data collection bill that would track wage and employment data for direct care workers. This data will help hold providers accountable and show if they used additional state funding for wage increases as intended, and collect critical information for policy makers to ensure they are taking adequate measures to address workforce shortages and improve working conditions.
The road to fair wages and stable jobs for direct care workers in Georgia requires strong advocacy and political power. During the 2024 legislative session, NDWA partnered with New Disabled South, Unlock GA, the Service Providers Association for Developmental Disabilities (SPADD), and the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) to advocate for more recipient slots and funding to reduce waiting lists for HCBS services for the NOW/COMP waivers. Additionally, we continue to collaborate with New Disabled South to educate the public on the importance of investing in all HCBS programs to support individuals with disabilities and the care workforce.
We continue to meet with key decision-makers to push for a care agenda that ensures direct care worker jobs are well-paid, sustainable, and recognized as essential.
At NDWA, we believe that improving home and community-based services in Georgia is a shared responsibility. By working together, we can ensure that care workers receive the fair pay and respect they deserve, while also strengthening care services for those who need them. Join us in our fight for dignity, respect, and fair compensation for Georgia’s direct care workforce.
Stay informed about NDWA’s efforts in Georgia and learn how you can help improve care and support for care workers in your community. Sign up below.