NYSACRA

News & Views 5-9-08

Friday, 09 May 2008

· IDA BONDING BILL MIRED IN LEGISLATURE
· REGISTRY OF OMRDD/OMH WORKERS
· OMRDD ANNOUNCES PUBLIC FORUMS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FIVE YEAR PLAN

In This Issue

Open Your Eyes! Watch it Now!

NYSACRA Calendar

Executive Positions

Action Center

· IDA BONDING BILL MIRED IN LEGISLATURE
	NYSACRA has joined a broad coalition of not-for-profit, economic development, municipal and business groups to urge the Governor and state lawmakers to act immediately on hundreds of stalled construction projects across the state totaling over $2 billion. Work on the projects - including new construction, expansion and refurbishment of nursing homes, hospitals, group homes and affordable housing - was halted when a state law authorizing local Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) to finance not- for-profit construction expired on January 31, 2008. A bill, S. 2684 (Sen Little) / A. 2557 (Morelle) re- authorizing IDA financing of not-for-profit construction is stalled in the State Legislature. NYSACRA will take part in a press conference this Tuesday, with hopes that our collective message can break the log jam.

· REGISTRY OF OMRDD/OMH WORKERS
	S.4474A (Morahan) / A.9609 (Zebrowski) would establish a statewide registry of mental retardation and developmental disabilities and mental health workers who are subject to the criminal background check (CBC) law and who are terminated as a result of a finding that such employee was engaged in behavior that constitutes abuse or mistreatment of a consumer. If the abuse or mistreatment that led to their termination or resignation while charges are pending, does not rise to the level of a criminal offense, the worker is free to seek employment from another OMRDD or OMH provider and there is currently no way for that prospective employer to uncover the prospective employee's prior history of consumer abuse or mistreatment unless revealed by the employee. S.4474A (Morahan) / A.9609 (Zebrowski) would correct this flaw in the system by creating a Registry of OMRDD/OMH workers of such terminated employees. Some providers have asked for some way to remove a person from the Registry, which could be done through an appeals process as is done for the Child Abuse Registry.

· OMRDD Announces Public Forums for Development of new Five Year Plan
	OMRDD intends to utilize the ideas, suggestions, and comments received through the public forums to develop a Draft Comprehensive Plan. OMRDD urges self-advocates, parents of people with developmental disabilities, other family members, non-profit providers, professionals, advocates, and other interested parties to participate. OMRDD is particularly interested in hearing about the following themes, but commentary is not limited solely to these themes. Click here for more information: http://www.nysacra.org/nysacra/new s/Forum_Announcement.pdf