Advocates call on the state legislature to include increased funds in the upcoming budget to care for some of the state's most vulnerable residents.
The Queens Council on Developmental Disabilities held their Queens Legislative Breakfast Friday morning at Queens College.
Advocates are asking for a $45 million bump to the budget to increase salaries for direct caretakers.
They're also asking for more money to be allocated to specialized schools and money to better fund the care of people with developmental disabilities who live with their families.
"They're individual people with individual stories and that have great potential if the services are in place to help them," said Lisa Veglia, the Deputy Executive Director of Queens Services for the Autism Community.
"We're in it for the long run. And our daughter needs the help of the government officials to move it forward,” said Victor Cangialosi, a Whitestone resident.
The state budget deadline is April 1.