5Q: Rilwan K. Feyisitan Jr

CEO and president, Community Action Partnership of Providence County

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

BY CASSIUS SHUMAN | Shuman@PBN.com

1What are the major similarities and differences between the business model and your nonprofit, human and social service agency model? We have to strategically plan for the same business factors as all companies: staffing and retention, IT [information technology], program evaluation, continuity of operations and resource cultivation, which in our sector means donors. The main difference is we do not have traditional shareholders. Our funding and resources are passed through to those receiving our programs and services.

2What should legislators and stakeholders do to help level wage inequities for human and social service agency workers? The Rhode Island legislature has to take a hard look at the state’s chronically low state-contracted reimbursement rates and supports to community-based organizations and the staff that provide many of these critical services.

3How might fixing the human and social services sector’s wage inequities directly or indirectly alleviate other areas of concern for your organization, such as with gender pay equity, child care, health care, etc.? I’m proud that CAPP was an early leader several years ago in providing a $15 minimum wage for all our staff, but we were at the time an exception. Worker shortages and demand have opened the door for higher pay, signon bonuses and mobility for some in other sectors. The question many are asking is: Will this be the new normal in a post-pandemic era?

4What is your organization’s perspective on the labor shortage, its impact on business and how might addressing the human/ social services sector wage inequities impact all industries? These work shortages affect the entire Rhode Island economy and most workplaces. Every day, we see the strain the lack of enough child care workers has when classrooms need to close and parents have to work. We are seeing many of these longstanding, undercompensated professionals move on to higher-paying jobs that require no direct contact. Many would stay for competitive salaries.

5What is your major focus, the challenges you face with it and why is it important to pursue this objective right now? Across the country, both government and the philanthropic community are understanding the need to fund core operational funding and not just the programs an organization facilitates. To be as effective as any business, nonprofits require the operational capacity to recruit and retain talent. That is our focus right now. n

These work shortages affect the entire Rhode Island economy.