Advocacy Efforts
Ray Graham Association can trace its founding to the grassroots efforts of a few families more than 60 years ago. Advancing public policy to positively impact people with disabilities is still a priority. We strive to offer services that align with best practices by pushing for continuous quality improvement. When these practices don’t exist, we believe it is our responsibility to partner with others to create them.
Ray Graham Association is part of long-term advocacy initiative called Partners for the Solution which promotes public awareness, advocates for equality and shapes public policy to best support people with disabilities in Illinois.
Wage Campaign
As a founding leader of the They Deserve More coalition, Ray Graham Association (RGA) is now one of over 80 agencies taking on the wage campaign to increase wages for our dedicated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Prior to 2017’s budget, there hadn’t been a wage increase in over a decade. Since the start of the campaign (2016), wages for DSPs have increased by $1.25. There was a 75-cent increase in 2017 and we were able to secure a 50-cent wage increase in the IL budget for 2018. While we were hoping for a higher increase in wages, it is a significant step in the right direction. We continue to advocate for further wage increases.
Advocacy Committee
RGA’s Advocacy Committee is comprised of people that receive services, families, Board members and RGA Team members. We focus on issues important to the people we support and act as champions so that our collective voices are heard and quality services for people with disabilities are preserved at all levels.
Stand with us and let us know you want to be involved. Join the Advocacy Committee by emailing us at info@raygraham.org.