State Senator Carolyn Comitta (Courtesy of State Senator Carolyn Comitta’s Office)
WEST CHESTER – Senator Carolyn Comitta was recently awarded the Melmark Humanitarian Award in recognition of her advocacy work for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the professionals who care for them.
The award is presented to an individual who shares Melmark’s mission and commitment to improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and autism through selfless acts of compassion, understanding and public service.
State Senator Carolyn Comitta (right) accepts the Melmark Humanitarian Award from Melmark CEO Rita M. Gardner at the Melmark Association’s Dream Makers Ball in Philadelphia. (Courtesy of Melmark)
“We all know someone – a friend, neighbor or loved one – who is part of our diverse community with autism or an intellectual or developmental disability,” Comitta said. “One of the most amazing things is watching our community progress from awareness to acceptance, and it’s all thanks to the dedication of our advocates and professionals. I’m grateful for this honor, but I’m even more grateful for the individuals and caring communities who encourage and empower their neighbors within the autism and intellectual disability community.”
Comitta received the honor at Melmark’s biennial fundraiser, the Dream Makers Ball, in Philadelphia. Also presenting to Melmark were Philadelphia-based insurance agency Simkiss & Block with a Good Neighbor Award and Melmark’s Executive Vice President of Clinical Services, Frank L. Byrd, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In her speech, Comitta pointed to the importance of direct support professionals who help people with disabilities with their daily activities and live independently, but she said low wages and high turnover have led to a workforce shortage that leaves many people waiting for assistance.
Comitta, along with state Sen. Jimmy Dillon, introduced a bill to link rates paid to direct support professionals to the National Market Consumer Index in order to improve compensation for care professionals and help alleviate the workforce shortage.
In the state legislature, Senator Comitta continues to fight for investments to support home and community-based services, remove barriers to care, and end the emergency wait list system in this year’s state budget.
Melmark is a non-profit, multi-state human resources provider with private special education schools and professional development, training and research centers serving people with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.