Liz Smith is the CEO of Unity House of Cayuga County and has worked with the nonprofit for 24 years.

“To work in partnership with people to have a fulfilling life, I mean, that’s a pretty awesome kind of work to be able to do," said Smith.

Unity House works in seven counties to support mostly people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“It really is about getting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities out into the community. Out into the community and establishing natural supports and relationships with people," said Smith.

Some people use day services offered by Unity House, while some people work full-time.

“Autism, like many disabilities, looks different for each individual; it’s not the same for each person," said Smith.

With supported employment, autistic adults can work with some help. Smith started as essentially a job coach, once for a man working as a driver for Byrne Dairy.

“And my job was to go with him and make sure he was getting the tasks done of that job. And I would stay with him full time at first and then slowly back off," said Smith. “It’s very exciting when you see somebody get a job and be able to perform that job and get a paycheck. It’s wonderful to be able to observe that kind of success.”

Smith says there’s been a staff shortage throughout the system since before the pandemic. She also says over the last 30 years, wages for direct support professionals have gone up around $3 an hour.

“We have not been funded at a level that attracts qualified people so they can make a living wage," said Smith.

Smith says as teens and young adults age out of the school system, it can be a tough transition.

“Families who have children that are aging out that don’t even know that there are all of these services available to them and their loved ones," said Smith.

Smith is calling on the community to contact lawmakers and request the cost-of-living adjustment be increased by 8.5% for direct support professionals.