Almost Enough: Maine Addiction Treatment Providers Plea for Higher Reimbursement Rates.
Maine Lawmakers Consider Boosting Pay for Direct-Care Workers Amid Critical Labor Shortages
A legislative committee in Maine is reviewing multiple bills aimed at increasing compensation for direct-care workers who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities—a move that could significantly impact service providers like Vanderburgh Sober Living.
Urgent Pleas from Direct-Care Agencies
On Tuesday, leaders from direct-care organizations testified before the Health and Human Services Committee, urging lawmakers to raise MaineCare reimbursement rates. The goal: improve workforce retention and reduce growing waitlists for essential services supporting thousands of Maine residents.
Agency leaders described the struggle to maintain staffing levels as direct-care workers exit the field in search of less demanding, higher-paying jobs in industries like retail and fast food.
“We’re not competing with other care providers—we’re competing with Walmart,” said Ellis Baum, Regional Director of Residential Resources in Westbrook.
Long Hours, Heavy Burdens
Baum, who oversees supports for individuals in addiction recovery across 14 locations in southern Maine, reported that many staff are logging 70 to 100 hours per week, either for overtime pay or simply because no one else is available. Despite employing 100 staff members, his organization regularly experiences a weekly service gap of over 700 hours.
“I know what it’s like to string together 70-hour weeks. It aches my heart to see my staff doing even more,” Baum testified.
High Turnover Disrupts Client Care
Employee turnover, sometimes as high as 40%, doesn’t just hurt the bottom line—it disrupts care continuity and client trust.
“When someone helps you with your most personal routines, trust is essential. But when staff leave frequently, that trust is broken, and client behaviors often worsen,” said Baum.
Legislation Aims to Address Pay Gap
At least four bipartisan-backed bills under review would increase MaineCare reimbursement rates to ensure direct-care workers are paid above the current $12.15 minimum wage:
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One bill mandates a $2 per hour wage increase, potentially benefiting over 33,000 workers.
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Another sets a minimum of 125% of the state’s minimum wage, or at least $15.19 per hour.
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A third would provide back pay for hazardous duty performed between January and April.
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A fourth ties future wage adjustments to the Consumer Price Index, mirroring state minimum wage policy.
A similar measure was approved in 2020 but left unfinished due to the pandemic’s sudden disruption of the legislative session.
Group Homes Face Vacancy and Waitlist Crisis
Meanwhile, many group homes are operating with vacant beds—not due to lack of demand, but because there aren’t enough staff to provide safe and appropriate care. More than 600 children remain on waiting lists, with average wait times nearing six months, according to Malory Shaughnessy of the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services.
“We’re in crisis,” said Shaughnessy. “This isn’t just about pay—it’s about whether providers can survive.”
She emphasized that the core issue isn’t a lack of qualified candidates, but rather the inability of providers to compete with private employers on wages due to outdated reimbursement structures.
“We need the Legislature to act—not next year. Now.”
Why Recovery Housing Matters
At Vanderburgh Sober Living, we understand the critical role direct-care workers play in helping individuals in recovery live with dignity and independence. Staffing shortfalls affect not just operations, but the lives of every resident in our homes.
If you’re searching for a safe, certified sober living home, our Sober House Directory is a great starting point. But we encourage you to do your homework. Look beyond appearances and accreditations. Ask questions. Seek transparency.
Thinking of Starting a Sober Home?
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to run a sober living home? Vanderburgh Sober Living is the first organization in the U.S. to offer sober living charters. We provide a supportive platform for those who want to make a difference in their community through recovery housing.