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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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Upcoming Events
NYSACRA's 33rd Annual ConferenceApril 21, 2010 April 21-23, 2010
The Sagamore Hotel
The unusual fiscal times have forced all of us to be more introspective as we seek solutions to new challenges. Discussions within the field and with our members have brought forth a myriad of “stories”...
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Friday, 29 May 2009 |
· OMRDD Announces Public Forums for the 2009-2013 Statewide Comprehensive Plan
· Sotomayor Nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court
· Kristen Proud Appointed Senate Finance Secretary
· Governor Announces Ethics Reform Legislation
· Health Insurance Coverage Continues to Gain Attention in New York
· Influenza Management
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NYSACRA News & Views
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Issue No. 86-09
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May 29, 2009
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Open Your Eyes! Watch it Now!
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NYSACRA Calendar
Executive Positions
Action Center
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Greetings NYSACRA Members!
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· OMRDD Announces Public Forums for the 2009-2013 Statewide Comprehensive Plan
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OMRDD will conduct a series of public forums to obtain input into the agency's 2009-2013 Statewide Comprehensive Plan. OMRDD will incorporate the ideas and comments from the ten scheduled public forums to update the 2008 Statewide Comprehensive Plan. OMRDD seeks the valuable input of all stakeholders including self advocates, family members, non-profit providers, professionals and other interested parties on the current system of services. This is an opportunity to provide guidance and viewpoints as to improvements to OMRDD's system of care. Public testimony opportunities are limited, therefore early registration is suggested. Log on to OMRDD's website at www.omr.state.ny.us to obtain a list of the public forum sites, dates and times. The listing will also include contact information for individuals who wish to provide public testimony. |
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· Sotomayor Nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court
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Earlier this week, President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. Sotomayor, a U.S. Court of Appeals Judge for the Second Circuit, would replace retiring Justice David Souter. A graduate of Princeton and Yale, Sotomayer is of Puerto Rican descent and is a native of Bronx, New York.
According to the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Sotomayer's opinions demonstrate her "understanding of the language and purpose of the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability rights laws".
Sotomayor began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County under Robert Morgenthau. She entered into private practice until she was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. She became the youngest Judge in the Southern District and the first Hispanic judge in New York State.
Judge Sotomayor's nomination is subject to confirmation by the United States Senate. |
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· Kristen Proud Appointed Senate Finance Secretary
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Kristen Proud, the Governor's Deputy Director for State Operations, will leave her post in the Executive Chamber to become the Finance Secretary in the New York State Senate. Proud is reported to take on her new role at the end of the Legislative Session which is scheduled for June 22nd. Proud formerly served as Director of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Deputy Secretary for Health for the Spitzer Administration and was Deputy Secretary to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
Other noteworthy developments on the second floor include the recent appointment of Robert Megna as Director of the NYS Division of Budget (DOB). Megna, former Commissioner of the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance will replace current DOB Director Laura Anglin. Other major announcements in the administration include the resignation of Errol Cockfield, Press Secretary to the Governor as well as Eric Dinallo, Superintendent of the NYS Insurance Department. Cockfield will likely continue service with the Administration in a different capacity and Dinallo has accepted a position with New York University. |
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· Governor Announces Ethics Reform Legislation
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Earlier this week, Governor Paterson announced major ethics reforms including the creation of a Government Ethics Commission to replace the existing Public Integrity Commission. The Public Integrity Commission has recently come under fire for its investigation into "Troopergate".
The new Government Ethics Commission is similar to oversight bodies in 29 other states and would oversee the Executive and Legislative branches of government. The Commission would also provide an enforcement mechanism for the Open Meetings Law with regard to state agencies. According to the Governor's Office, "one standard would apply to everyone in State government."
The Governor has proposed legislation to create the new Commission as well as a new entity, the Government Ethics Designating Commission, which would recruit applicants to "attract highly qualified individuals for the Government Ethics Commission."
Separately, the NYS Senate yesterday commenced a series of three public hearings on the various ethics reform proposals in the State Legislature. |
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· Health Insurance Coverage Continues to Gain Attention in New York
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The Chairs of the Senate and Assembly Health Committee recently introduced legislation to create universal health care coverage for New Yorkers under a proposed new program called New York Health Plus. A.7854 (Gottfried)/S.4884 (Duane) were introduced last month and are largely based on the current Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus insurance programs. The new plan would allow individuals a choice of health care plans including a publically sponsored plan with no premium payment. The legislation includes a payroll tax and surcharge on upper bracket non-wage and salary taxable income to pay for the proposal. A full report describing New York Health Plus is available on Assemblyman Gottfried's website at http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=075 |
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· Influenza Management
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OMRDD will be sending out information to provider on dealing with suspected cases of H1 -N1 influenza within the next couple of days. If an agency has a suspected case of the flu there are three immediate things they should do:
1.) Go to the OMRDD website and read the information and follow the guidelines in the Management of Swine-origin Influenza A (H1-N1) in OMRDD Facilities May 1, 2009. http://www.omr.state.ny.us/hp_swineflumanagement.jsp
2.) Contact the Local Department of Health
3.) Contact the DDSO Communication is the key in containing and minimizing exposure. |
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