Albany, NY — On Monday, March 9, 2026, Senator Roxanne J. Persaud sponsored the Human Services Council Lobby Day at the New York State Capitol, where hundreds of advocates traveled to Albany to call for strong investments in the human services sector in the SFY 2026–2027 State Budget.

Throughout the day, members of leading human services organizations met with dozens of legislators and key stakeholders to advocate for fair funding, workforce stability, and long-overdue wage equity for nonprofit providers serving vulnerable New Yorkers.

As Chair of the Senate Social Services Committee, Senator Persaud has championed the fight for wage equity throughout her tenure in office. She sponsors legislation (S.3669-A) that would provide a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) — one percent above the Governor’s proposal — and would finally include programs that have historically been excluded from prior “across-the-board” rate increases.

Participating organizations included the Human Services Council, Nonprofit Westchester, JustPay, Human Services Leadership Council of Central New York, the Supportive Housing Network of New York, and the Council of Agency Executives, among others.

Together, advocates emphasized that sustained, equitable investment in the human services workforce is essential to maintaining programs that address homelessness, mental health, domestic violence, child welfare, and other critical community needs.

“For years, our human services providers have been asked to do more with less, while supporting our state’s most vulnerable residents,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “This Lobby Day underscored the urgent need to invest equitably in the workforce that delivers critical services across New York. A 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase would help stabilize providers, support workers, and ensure high quality care for those who rely on these essential programs.”

“Nonprofit human services workers are the backbone of our communities and our economy — yet they earn 30% less than their government counterparts for doing the same work. In a state that claims to stand with working people, this inequity is unacceptable,” said Jan Fisher, Executive Director of Nonprofit Westchester. “The State must act now to ensure these essential workers earn a livable wage and finally achieve the long-term wage equity they deserve for serving New Yorkers every single day.”

"Senator Persaud has shown real leadership by prioritizing human services workers, and now it’s time for New York State to provide a 2.7% increase for ALL human services contracts and workers. These targeted inflationary wage increases must reach every worker, across every program, so that just pay is not just an empty promise, but something that's actually delivered," said Michelle Jackson,  Executive Director, Human Services Council of New York.

“The Network appreciates Senator Persaud’s leadership and recognition that for far too long our essential nonprofit human services workforce has been asked to do more with less. Many of these workers who dedicate their careers to helping others find stability are themselves eligible for the very services they help people access or are just one emergency away. As the cost of everything goes up and the demands on the nonprofit sector continue to rise, we must ensure these workers – many of whom are women and people of color – receive fair and adequate pay so they can support themselves and their families. The compensation disparities across our sector are not only unjust, they also make it difficult to recruit and retain employees, leaving vulnerable New Yorkers at risk. The state must address these inequities in this current budget cycle and protect the human service workers who give so much of themselves every day,” said Pascale Leone, Executive Director,  Supportive Housing Network of NY.

“Nonprofit human services workers are essential to vibrant, thriving communities across New York State. The services they provide form the foundation for economic development. Today, human services nonprofits in Central New York stand in solidarity with partners across the state in calling on our legislators to restore the full 2.7% inflationary wage adjustment for our workers. Doing so is the only way to truly recognize how essential they are,” said Loretta Zolkowski, Executive Director, Human Services Leadership Council of Central New York.

“On behalf of the Council of Agency Executives (COAE), we are grateful to Senator Persaud for her leadership in supporting human service workers across New York.  Human service professionals spend their careers helping others through some of life’s most difficult moments, yet differences across state contracts can lead to inequities for employees doing similar work. We respectfully encourage New York State to ensure a 2.7% targeted inflationary increase across all human service contracts so the people who choose careers serving our communities can be supported fairly for the work they do every day,” said  Dr. Shannon Cleverley-Thompson, Executive Director, COAE.

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