Melanie Grace Babbitt, a licensed clinical social worker and union member with United Workers of Integral Care, addressed the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities on Feb. 7 to urge action on staffing and pay in state‑licensed group homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

"I'm here today because as a public mental health worker, I am in daily state of shock at how high the needs of people with IDD and mental health are in Travis County, compared to how little people seem to be talking about how to address them," Babbitt said, citing a recent news report of staff violence and severe injury in a group home and noting staff wages reported at about $10.60 an hour.

Babbitt told the committee advocates are seeking higher reimbursement rates in the current legislative session and said a state draft under discussion would raise rates only to about $12 per hour, while advocates propose $18. She asked the committee to consider what the city could do to attract and retain group‑home staff, including using the committee’s platform to raise awareness. "Please use your power to make it a priority to learn more about people with IDD and mental health needs and how to prioritize making the city a better place for them to live," she said.

Committee members responded that, while city authority is limited over state‑licensed group homes, the committee could help raise awareness and consider adding the topic to a future agenda. Commissioner Jennifer Powell said the committee could "raise awareness on, even if we can't actually raise the funding ourselves." A member asked whether Babbitt planned to testify before the state legislature; she said she planned to do so.

The committee did not take formal action on the request during the public‑communications period, but members indicated willingness to refer the topic for future discussion and to coordinate outreach.

The committee’s discussion noted the distinction between city and state authority over licensing and funding for group homes; the committee did not propose or adopt any specific local funding measure at the Feb. 7 meeting.

The committee staff invited Babbitt to share contact information for follow‑up and to return as a presenter if the matter is scheduled on a future agenda.