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Bipartisan Interest in Achieva

March 15, 2024

By Steve Suroviec, President and CEO

Photo: Mary Hartley, President, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh; Senator Devlin Robinson; Steve Suroviec, President and CEO, Achieva; Shayne Roos, Executive Vice President of Achieva; President of Achieva SupportPhoto: Mary Hartley, President, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh; Senator Devlin Robinson; Steve Suroviec, President and CEO, Achieva; Shayne Roos, Executive Vice President of Achieva; President of Achieva Support

In the past several weeks, Achieva has been proud to host two visits from local elected officials. State Senator Devlin Robinson (R) and State Representative Nick Pisciottano (D) came to Achieva to learn more about our mission and vision, as well as the challenges we face when it comes to covering the costs of operating a disability services organization in Pennsylvania. Senator Robinson represents the residents of the 37th senatorial district, which includes the western region of Allegheny County, while Representative Pisciottano serves the 38th legislative district, which includes the Monongahela Valley and South Hills regions of Allegheny County.

The timing of their respective visits to Achieva is important as the PA General Assembly is in the process of considering the State Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget proposal from Governor Shapiro. The administration’s budget includes a desperately needed increase in funding for the Intellectual Disability and Autism (ID/A) services system. Non-profit service agencies like Achieva have only received one rate increase from the state since 2017, while inflation in wages, health care benefits, fuel, and food have skyrocketed during the same period.

Photo: Mary Hartley, President, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh; Representative Nick Pisciottano; Steve Suroviec, President and CEO, Achieva; Shayne Roos, Executive Vice President of Achieva; President of Achieva SupportPhoto: Mary Hartley, President, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh; Representative Nick Pisciottano; Steve Suroviec, President and CEO, Achieva; Shayne Roos, Executive Vice President of Achieva; President of Achieva Support

The Shapiro Administration has proposed a budget increase specifically to increase rates for service providers, yet many in the ID/A community fear the General Assembly will not keep the proposed budget intact when considering the appropriations bill later this spring. Funding for ID/A system should be nonpartisan, and so we’re hopeful that support from both sides of the aisle will guarantee that the governor’s proposed ID/A budget will not be cut.

We appreciate the willingness of our elected officials to visit Achieva to see and hear firsthand the wonderful things we do, but also to learn about the challenges we face when reimbursements from state government fail to keep up with inflation. Our door is open to other elected officials who wish to visit.

If you want to let Harrisburg know how you feel about the ID/A budget proposed by Governor Shapiro, then please click here to find your elected officials and email them a message.

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