United Church of Christ’s Emmaus Homes Boost Wages of Direct Support Professionals to $12/Hour

Did you know that each year the staff at Emmaus provides more than 1,000,000 hours of service for individuals with developmental disabilities? Did you also know that over the past 5 years, more than 100 new clients have chosen Emmaus as their service provider? Annually, Emmaus hires and trains more than 300 direct support professionals (DSPs) to help provide services. While the need for services remains critical, the rates Emmaus clients receive to help pay for their care remains relatively flat — in fact, over the past eight years, Emmaus has only netted a 3 percent rate increase, certainly not enough to keep pace with wage increases in similar industries.

In response to this crisis, the Emmaus Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Executive Team, has crafted a bold plan of action. Today, Emmaus is pleased to share that beginning April 29, the starting wage for DSPs will increase to $12/hour. This is an initial $2 million investment the Board is making because it is committed to Emmaus staff and Emmaus clients.

This increase will impact more than 450 current DSPs and help recruit new and former team members. Emmaus chose to make this wage increase immediately to help fill current staff openings, but has more to come. Emmaus looks forward to sharing the exciting news about the second phase of this plan before the end of April, and continue being a leader in services to people with disabilities for decades to come.

Says, Cindy Clark, Emmaus president and CEO, “To the many volunteers and staff who continue to serve clients at Emmaus, thank you for standing beside us as we work to provide critical services to the more than 300 adults with developmental disabilities. While much has changed at Emmaus, much more has remained the same, primarily our unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality care and services. Thank you for your continued support of our mission and ministry.”

Emmaus Homes is a faith based, nonprofit organization providing around the clock services to more than 275 adults with developmental disabilities in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The CHHSM-member ministry serves clients in more than 70 homes throughout Franklin, Warren, St. Charles and St. Louis (Mo.) counties.