NYSACRA

GOVERNOR GIVES STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

On Wednesday the Governor gave his annual State of the State Address, which kicked off the NYS Legislative Session for 2004.  Despite much recent discussion on Medicaid by the Senate, Assembly and the counties, there was little in the Governor’s State of the State Address to shed light on what if any action will be taken regarding the future of Medicaid.  As is often the case, we will need to wait the two weeks for the details to come out in his Executive Budget Proposal.  For a copy of the Governor’s State of the State Address, visit www.ny.state.us or Click Here for the html version of the Address.

HEALTH INSURANCE SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED

Many of you have returned the survey that NYSACRA members are participating in on Health Insurance.  The survey, developed by the JFK Jr. Institute for Worker Education, is very important and the deadline for submitting it will be extended a month, to allow more agencies to participate.  The deadline is now mid-January.  The information will be used to develop policy recommendations and for better advocacy on health insurance in the future.  If you have any questions or have misplaced the survey contact Dr. Niev Duffy at 646-344-7312 or through email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

SAMPLE PROFILE FOR 2004 LEGISLATIVE SESSION – SEND US YOURS!

This year, our theme is “Creating Careers in Your Community”. Once again NYSACRA will deliver a profile from a member  each week to every state legislator explaining the work of direct support workers in NYSACRA agencies and how they build community. Send your stories and photos to Joe Macbeth, who will be happy to help you with ideas or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We need your stories every week! If we don’t tell them, who will?	A Community Cares in Rockland County Skyview Acres is a community that takes the acronym "NYS-CARS" literally. When Jawonio decided to purchase a house in Skyview Acres, and make it wheelchair accessible, they were unsure how their new neighbors would greet them. Much to the delight of the staff at Jawonio and the men moving into the new home, the Skyview Acres residents did what they always do when someone new arrives - they paid a visit and threw a party.  One of the Skyview neighbors during the welcoming party made the intentions of the community very clear when he said, "If you need anything, just let us know. If we can't help you, we'll find someone who can."
We are… Creating Careers in Your Community.

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR DIRECT SUPPORT PROFILES!

NYSACRA will again be presenting Legislators with Profiles of our Direct Support Professionals and the individuals and families they serve.  Please send us your stories including photos with permission to print.  Visit the NYSACRA website for samples of previous Profiles, like the one above, or call or email Joe Macbeth at 518-449-7551 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

PLEASE SUPPORT THE NYSACRA
LEGISLATIVE GAZETTE SPECIAL SECTION

You have already received the information for taking out an ad in the February 2, 2004 issue of the Legislative Gazette for NYSACRA’s Legislative Day 2004.  This issue comes out the day before NYSACRA’s Legislative Day, which is on Tuesday, February 3^rd.  For every ad you take, NYSACRA is allowed an equal space to publish our message to the Legislature, Governor and the State.  Please thank the Legislature and Governor for their past support and show your support for our Direct Support Workforce.  See you on Tuesday, February 3, 2004!

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR LEGISLATIVE DAY SIGN-UP!

Please take a few moments and fill out the NYSACRA Legislative Day 2004 Sign-Up Form or use the online version at the NYSACRA website, www.nysacra.org. Thank you to the Agencies that have already sent it in.