Governor Shapiro highlights reduction in emergency waitlist for adult ID/A services

Governor Josh Shapiro and Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, are set to join advocates and leaders in Washington County to discuss recent progress in reducing the emergency waitlist for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). The event will also address improvements in wages and vacancy rates for direct support professionals (DSP), as well as expanded access to services for Pennsylvanians with ID/A.

The announcement follows what the administration describes as historic investments since Governor Shapiro took office. These efforts aim to expand ID/A services and provide more support for the DSP workforce.

Participants at the event include Ed Picchiarini, CEO of ARC Human Services; Mike Smith, a parent affiliated with ARC Human Services; and Eugene Willis, a participant and board member at ARC Human Services.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 11:30 AM at ARC Human Services in Canonsburg. A live stream will be available at pacast.com/live/gov and governor.pa.gov/live/. Members of the press interested in attending must RSVP by providing names and phone numbers to ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov.

"Governor Josh Shapiro has secured historic investments to expand ID/A services and support the DSP workforce," according to the announcement.