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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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Tuesday, 09 June 2009 |
· OMRDD COMMUNICATION ON INFLUENZA
· PATERSON OUTLINES PLAN TO AVOID LAYOFFS
· NYSACRA MEMBERS RESPOND TO TREND ACTION ALERT
· UPDATE ON OMRDD NAME CHANGE LEGISLATION
· BING APPOINTED CHAIR OF LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
· STATE LEGISLATIVE STAFFERS WIN SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE BRONX
· LEVEL OF CARE DETERMINATION
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NYSACRA News & Views
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Issue No. 89-09
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June 8, 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 COMMUNICATION ON INFLUENZA
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Last Tuesday, OMRDD sent out to providers more information on Influenza. A number of cases of Influenza have been reported by voluntary providers. Though most of the cases have been reported in the NYC area it is not isolated to that region of the state. The information sent out recently is more like a Frequently Asked Questions of what to do if you suspect someone in your agency may have the flu. Copies of the communication may be found on the OMRDD website along with other useful information on H1-N1. http://www.omr.state.ny.us/hp_swineflu_communication.jsp |
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· PATERSON OUTLINES PLAN TO AVOID LAYOFFS
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Late last week, Governor Paterson unveiled a plan to avoid the approximately 8,700 state worker layoffs proposed by him earlier. The agreement between the Governor, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and the Public Employees Federation (PEF) include the new Tier V for state workers and a $20,000 buyout for eligible retirees. Retirement would be required to take place this year. In return, the Governor will not implement the initial layoff plan and will not pursue layoffs over the next two years. How this specifically will impact OMRDD is not known yet but we will keep you informed. |
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· NYSACRA MEMBERS RESPOND TO TREND ACTION ALERT
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As usual, NYSACRA members responded in force to our recent "ACTION ALERT" and contacted members of the NYS Legislature to take action on the important trend factor bill. The bill remains in the respective Senate and Assembly Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities' Committees. NYSACRA continues to collaborate with partners here in Albany to move the legislation. We appreciate the efforts of the membership and thank those of you who took action. Please be assured that we will keep you updated as to developments on the bill and any further action needed. |
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· UPDATE ON OMRDD NAME CHANGE LEGISLATION
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With two weeks left to go until the scheduled end of the 2009 State Legislative Session, legislation to change the name of OMRDD to the "NYS Developmental Disabilities Services Office" remains in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. The bill swiftly passed the Senate in April and we are optimistic that the legislation will pass in the Assembly. NYSACRA supports the measure. |
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· BING APPOINTED CHAIR OF LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
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Earlier last week, Assembly Speaker Silver appointed Assemblyman Jonathan Bing to chair the Legislative Task Force on People with Disabilities. Assemblyman Bing represents the 73rd Assembly District which includes the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Prior to his service in the State Legislature, Bing was a practicing attorney in Manhattan and wrote an award-winning article entitled "Protecting the Mentally Retarded from Capital Punishment: State Efforts Since Penry and Recommendations for the Future". Bing replaces Assemblywoman Michele Titus as Chair of the Task Force. |
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· STATE LEGISLATIVE STAFFERS WIN SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE BRONX
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The special election to fill the vacancies left by former Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene and Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr. will be filled by former State Legislative staffers. Vanessa Gibson, former State Assembly staffer, will fill Greene's seat in the 77th Assembly District which encompasses the Highbridge and Morrisania sections of the Bronx. Marcos Crespo, former special assistant to Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. will fill the younger Diaz' seat in the 85th Assembly District which includes the Soundview area of the Bronx. |
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· LEVEL OF CARE DETERMINATION
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There is a requirement in federal and state regulations, the HCBS waiver, the MSC vendor manual and the "Key" that an annual Level of Care Eligibility Determination must occur for individuals enrolled in the waiver. Currently, many are concerned that the OMIG may consider the LCED as a document necessary to support a service billing. We understand that OMRDD and the OMIG are in discussion about this issue, and will provide guidance to providers after they come to some agreement. At this point, it is wise to ask how your agency tracks LCEDs, in terms of location and timeliness. NYSACRA will let you know as soon as there are some definitive answers. |
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