(WHTM) — Professional caregivers in Pennsylvania are among the winners in the new state budget.

Governor Josh Shapiro held a ceremonial bill signing, highlighting new funding to help those with intellectual disabilities and autism. The budget allocates $354 million to supplement the pay of the professionals who care for them.

“How we’ll see it at BARC Developmental Services, is assisting with workforce crisis because we need to hire more direct care staff,” Executive Director for BARC Developmental Services Mary Sautter said. “We need to recruit and retain more DSP staff and this will make a big difference.”

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The funding should also help clear the emergency wait list of Pennsylvanians who need professional care. Right now, there are 4,500 intellectually-disabled adults on the list.

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