NYSACRA

MARCH IS MR/DD AWARENESS MONTH
LET YOUR COMMUNITIES KNOW IT!

Throughout the month of March, across the state and around the country, organizations that provide supports and services to people with developmental disabilities and their families will be trying to raise public awareness of the abilities of people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. March is Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Month and this is the perfect time to provide public education o­n the services you provide in your local community. By raising public awareness, attention can be directed toward the abilities, skills and achievements by people you serve and break down the physical and social barriers that effect every day life of people with developmental disabilities. We encourage our member agencies to issue a press release that shares your work in the community and highlights the abilities of those you serve.

FORMER NYSACRA BOARD PRESIDENT
APPOINTED NYS DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

Former Troy Mayor and NYSACRA Board President, Mark Pattison will begin work April 1, 2004 as a deputy state comptroller. In his new job as deputy comptroller for local government services and economic development, Pattison will be in charge of the unit that reviews the books of governments at all levels except for New York City. Prior to becoming Troy’s mayor, Mark was the Director of Residential Services for the Rensselaer County ARC. We wish him the best of luck in his new position at the Comptroller’s Office.

ART EXHIBIT UPDATE

Thanks to all of you who responded with proposals for this year’s Annual Exhibit of Art that will be held o­n April 22, 2004 during our annual conference at The Sagamore Resort and Hotel. This year’s exhibit promises to be the best ever, with more than 150 artists from 32 NYSACRA member agencies showing their work. This year, we will unveil “My House”, painted by Patty Dawson from Brooklyn. Ms. Dawson’s work was chosen as best representing this year’s conference theme “Open the Door” from a special request for proposals for conference themed work created by artists with disabilities. Don’t miss Patty’s work and 200 other works from talented artists from across the state during this year’s conference.

NEW YORK GETS TWWIIA GRANT

HHS announced the award of $500,000 in grants to New York State for the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, a law passed by Congress to encourage people with disabilities to work without fear of losing their eligibility under Medicare, Medicaid or similar health benefits.

Under this program, states use the grants to help people with disabilities retain their Medicaid coverage when they become employed, to help provide appropriate personal assistance and to support other improvements to help people with disabilities to remain successfully employed. To date, more than 59,000 working people with disabilities have received health coverage under such programs nationwide.