For parents like Anne Kaufman, the moments their kids reach certain milestones are unforgettable. One of those moments happened just a few months ago, when her 22-year-old daughter, Maya Kaufman, performed on stage before dozens of people.
Getting Maya confident enough to perform on stage took a lot of work. For six years, she was a student at the Ivy Street School in Brookline, where caretakers and educators helped her develop social skills and a love of art. Severe staffing shortages have forced many facilities to reduce services or shut down completely. Kaufman said the situation is already affecting Maya.
"The people who are here are burnt out, overworked and underpaid," she said."I work 90 hours a week. Some days I come in, and I'm completely exhausted."Lozada works so many hours because she needs two additional part-time jobs to keep up with her bills, which she said is typical for workers in her industry.
Ellen Attaliades, the president of the Association of Developmental Disability Providers, said the current staffing shortages are the worst she’s ever seen. "It's concerning," Attaliades said."People can be losing skills and are relying on their family members, or a number of family members have had to quit their jobs to stay home with their adult children."
Yes. I just heard a report that some Bertuccis franchises filed Chapter 11. Health risks are not limited to COVID-19. Delivery drivers have been mugged by customers. Opiate addicts.