Vanna Howard — Representative Vanna Howard is called during roll call and then mentioned again as the meeting proceeds to a motion to approve the minutes.
Stephanie Costa — Stephanie Costa, President and CEO of ADDP, is introduced and thanks the committee for the opportunity to testify. She briefly introduces ADDP, then explains her background leading the organization, including prior experience at a provider member and at EOHHS, noting that this varied experience shapes her perspective on workforce challenges.
Stephanie Costa — Stephanie Costa is referenced and then speaks about the survey’s development and findings. She is noted as having introduced the survey and previously mentioned the addition of a health insurance question. In her remarks, she thanks Mandy, echoes the concluding points, and explains that wage investments have helped improve vacancy rates, while cautioning that more variables and pressures are emerging as the team prepares to conduct the survey again in the fall.
Mandy Nichols — Mandy Nichols is introduced as Vice President of ADDP and invited to introduce herself. She then presents the workforce metrics survey, explaining her role and long history in IDD advocacy, and walks through why health insurance questions were added to better understand the impact of insurance costs on provider employers and their workforce. She begins reviewing the survey findings, including key vacancy-rate results, and concludes by noting that the organization will continue monitoring provider impacts and plans to repeat the survey in the fall. Stephanie then echoes Mandy’s concluding points.
James Eldridge — Asked a question after accidentally using the hand-raise feature; likely Senator James Eldridge, referred to as Leo in prior context.
Kate Hogan — Referenced as a prior official under whose tenure there were specific task forces on the issue.