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Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has met with families, advocates, and service providers across Pennsylvania to understand the challenges facing the ID/A community — especially the shortage of direct support professionals (DSPs) and long waiting lists for home and community-based services.
Governor Shapiro secured $354.8 million in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget to expand home and community-based services and address the shortage of direct support professionals.
Through these budget investments, new partnerships, and continued collaboration with advocates and families, the Shapiro Administration is delivering real results for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism — ensuring they have the opportunity to participate fully in their communities, workplaces, and beyond.
Harrisburg, PA – On July 16, 2025, Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro welcomed athletes, advocates, and special guests to the Governor’s Residence for the third annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Bocce Ball Tournament — as the Administration continues its commitment to ensuring Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) have the opportunity to live, work, and thrive in their communities.
This year’s tournament brought together Special Olympics athletes and employees from Wawa and Sheetz — longtime SOPA partners who catered the event, competed alongside athletes, and added fun to the day with their mascots. Teams played friendly matches in the Residence’s Rose Garden.
“For years, the ID/A community and their loved ones have been calling out for real help and an Administration that is committed to them — and we heard them loud and clear,” said Governor Shapiro. “We’re delivering on that promise: raising wages to recruit and retain the essential workers who care for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, and finally starting to reduce the waiting list so more people can live with dignity and independence. Today’s tournament is about coming together to celebrate these athletes, their families, and the community we’re building across the Commonwealth — and my Administration will keep working every day to ensure Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism have the opportunity to live, work, and thrive in the communities they call home.”
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has met with families, advocates, and service providers across Pennsylvania to understand the challenges facing the ID/A community — especially the shortage of direct support professionals (DSPs) and long waiting lists for home and community-based services. Building on this listening, the Governor secured $354.8 million in new federal and state funding in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget to address these issues head-on:
As a result of the Shapiro Administration’s efforts, Pennsylvania has already reduced the emergency waiting list by 20 percent since last July, and more than 40,000 Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities or autism are now receiving services.
Governor Shapiro also secured $1 million in new funding for Special Olympics Pennsylvania to support their “30 by 2030” initiative — ensuring even more athletes can participate in life-changing sports opportunities.
Creating More Inclusive Opportunities and Partnerships
Today’s event also underscored how businesses can help build inclusive workplaces. Sheetz has partnered for years with Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), hiring workers with disabilities and supporting Special Olympics events. At the First Lady’s encouragement, Wawa is now working with OVR too — helping more Pennsylvanians with disabilities join the workforce.
Last year, OVR helped place 6,000 Pennsylvanians with disabilities into jobs across 3,500 companies — and the Governor’s 2025-26 budget proposal would increase OVR funding to expand this work even further.
“We thank Governor Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro for hosting today’s tournament. For the past three decades, it has been our honor to partner with Special Olympics Pennsylvania and support their athletes in every community our stores serve,” said Sheetz President & CEO Travis Sheetz. “It is also a lot of fun anytime we have the chance to join with our employees who compete with Special Olympics and with our friends at Wawa to support this great cause.”
“Wawa and The Wawa Foundation were honored to participate in the 2025 Governor’s Unified Bocce Brunch today along with our friends at Sheetz and the amazing athletes of Special Olympics Pennsylvania,” said Liz Simeone, President of the Wawa Foundation. “Wawa has a 40+ year commitment to providing supported employment opportunities which now include our support of the Governor and First Lady’s work to highlight the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s InVEST Program. We are all thrilled to come together as a community to support and cheer on these programs! As a proud, Pennsylvania-based company, we are thrilled to support these programs and further our long-standing commitment to supporting employment opportunities.”
Supporting Direct Care Workers and Aging Pennsylvanians
Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposed budget includes a $21 million investment to raise wages, provide paid time off, and increase access to affordable insurance for approximately 8,500 direct care workers who support adults with physical disabilities and seniors. The Governor has also proposed an additional $5 million for OVR to help more Pennsylvanians with disabilities find meaningful employment.
About Special Olympics Pennsylvania
SOPA provides year-round sports training and competition for over 13,000 athletes across the Commonwealth, supported by volunteers, local businesses, and community partners like Wawa and Sheetz.
By bringing together athletes, businesses, and state leaders, the annual bocce tournament at the Governor’s Residence celebrates what’s possible when communities work together — and highlights the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to building a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive Pennsylvania.
Read more about Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal. Explore the Governor's 2025-26 Budget in Brief here, or visit shapirobudget.pa.gov to learn more.