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 Open Your Eyes Sean Delaney went to Washington D.C. to open the eyes of our Congressional leaders and to share stories of life as a Direct Support Professional serving people with developmental disabilities.  Please watch Sean's music video, "Open Your Eyes" and share it with everyone you know, help tell their story.

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Celebrate National DSP Week
September 8, 2008
DSP to DC Sept. 8-9th
The U.S. Senate designated the week of September 8, 2008 as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week to honor our heroic workforce! This resolution is a great achievement by the ANCOR National Advocacy Campaign...

Direct Support Professionals: The Frontline of Change
September 10, 2008
The Frontline of Change presents a context for NYSACRA’s efforts by discussing the significant and successful transformation of New York State’s service system for individuals with developmental disabilities over the past 40 years; as well as the roles ...

OMRDD'S Testimonial of The Frontline of Change Publication
September 26, 2008
"Congratulations on an amazingly heartfelt piece of work that, from cover-to-cover, puts people first and so eloquently captures the transformation of our services system over the past 40 years!"
To read more of Commissioner Diana Jones...

DSP Conference Northern Region
October 17, 2008
Renaissance Syracuse Hotel
John Pelizza, Keynote speaker


DSP Conference Mid-Hudson Region
October 23, 2008
Holiday Inn Fishkill
John Pelizza, Keynote Speaker

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News & Views Legislative Alert 6-23-08 PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 24 June 2008

·  DSP OVERTIME BILL BECOMES STUDY BILL
·  RESIDENTIAL CHILD ABUSE BILL
·  NUTRITION CODIFICATION BILL
·  JONATHAN'S LAW LOOKBACK EXTENDED
·  NURSES OVERTIME BILL

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NYSACRA LEGISLATIVE ALERT!!

 

Issue No. 28-08

 

June 23, 2008

 

 

In This Issue

 

 

 

Open Your Eyes! Watch it Now!

 

DSP OVERTIME BILL BECOMES STUDY BILL

 

RESIDENTIAL CHILD ABUSE BILL

 

NUTRITION CODIFICATION BILL

 

JONATHAN'S LAW LOOKBACK EXTENDED

 

NURSES OVERTIME BILL

 

 

 

 


Open Your Eyes! Watch it Now!

 

 

 


 NYSACRA Calendar

 


 Executive Positions

 


 Action Center

 

Greetings NYSACRA Members!

 

 

<><>
·  DSP OVERTIME BILL BECOMES STUDY BILL

 

A. 11757, just introduced a few hours ago, is a compromise bill to create a study workgroup on DSP overtime, and while not the same-as, it's considered a companion to S. 8679-a. There have been a few versions of this bill, some over the weekend as well, which included a demo project. However the A. 11757 / S. 8679-a compromise appears to be agreed upon, without a demo, by the Senate, the Assembly and the Governor.

 

 

<><>
·  RESIDENTIAL CHILD ABUSE BILL

 

The Governor has submitted a Governor's Program bill, A. 11753 (Gordon) and S. 8534-a (Morahan), to create a definition of abuse and neglect in residential settings.

 

Preventing and effectively addressing abuse and neglect is a significant priority for agency providers. We are committed to working closely with state government to make the system as safe and efficient as possible.

 

NYSACRA polled our Legislative and Policy Committee Members, and the overall analysis of this proposed legislation is that it appears to be a step in the right direction. Besides some technical corrections, there is a concern about the one-size-fits-all approach. The bill could be improved by including a graduated system for levels of abuse, treating the most severe cases with the strongest measures. For example, the bill currently includes non accidental pinching or shoving in with burning, biting or choking, the latter of which are more severe intentional acts. The bill defines what is considered abuse much more clearly than the current system and requires the Statewide Central Register to accept such reports, whereas, currently many of those cases are never even accepted when called in. S. 8534-a passed today, A. 11753 is expected to pass shortly.

 

 

<><>
·  NUTRITION CODIFICATION BILL

 

While OMRDD Regs already clearly state in Part 633 (4)(a)(xvii) that a balanced and nutritious diet, must be "served at appropriate times and in as normal a manner as possible, and which is not altered or totally denied for behavior management or disciplinary (punishment) purposes", A. 11482-a / S. 8551-a, seeks to codify a similar provision regarding meals. The bills appear to be poised for passage today; however, neither bill has passed yet.

 

 

<><>
·  JONATHAN'S LAW LOOKBACK EXTENDED

 

Bill A. 10897-a (Gordon) / S. 8389-a (Morahan) would allow parents until December 31, 2010 to request abuse records under Jonathan's Law. S. 8389-a has passed, but A. 10897-a has not yet.

 

 

<><>
·  NURSES OVERTIME BILL

 

A compromise bill, A. 11711 (Gunther) / S. 8637 (Morahan) will mandate that in all facilities operated under Public Health Law Articles 28 or 36, no nurse shall work more than that nurse's regularly scheduled work hours, except in an emergency. This bill does apply to the State Operated but not to OMRDD voluntary residential providers, which the previous version did. S. 8637 passed today, and A. 11711 is expected to pass tonight.

 

NYSACRA will keep you updated in the next few days regarding these and any other legislative activity.

 

 

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:: http://www.nysacra.org

 

 

:: 518-449-7551

 

 

 

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