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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, 26 June 2009 |
· DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK IN NEW YORK STATE IS SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2009 -- ASSEMBLYMAN RIVERA SPONSORED DSP WEEK RESOLUTION
· HHS ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR "YEAR OF COMMUNITY LIVING"
· WORK INCENTIVES INFORMATION NETWORK
· QUALITY COMMITTEE CAN ADDRESS YOUR QUESTIONS
· DYSFUNCTION CONTINUES IN STATE SENATE - STATE ASSEMBLY ADJOURNS
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NYSACRA News & Views
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Issue No. 92-09
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June 26, 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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· DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK IN NEW YORK STATE IS SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2009 -- ASSEMBLYMAN RIVERA SPONSORED DSP WEEK RESOLUTION
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At NYSACRA's urging, Assemblyman Peter Rivera, Chair of the Assembly Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee, sponsored a Legislative Resolution which memorializes the Governor to proclaim Assembly Resolution # 796 of 2009 recognizes the importance of the Direct Support Professionals as the primary providers of publically funded long term services for many individuals in New York State and the importance of the close and trusted relationship which exists between the direct support professional and individuals with developmental disabilities. The resolution was adopted on June 22nd. NYSACRA wishes to thank Assemblyman Rivera for his continued leadership in the Assembly and appreciates his willingness to introduce this resolution in the Assembly. ANCOR is also working on a national, Senate sponsored resolution for the same week to coincide with their Governmental Affairs Conference, as they did last year. |
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· HHS ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR "YEAR OF COMMUNITY LIVING"
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In support of President Obama's proclamation of the "Year of Community Living," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a funding opportunity that will make it easier for older people, younger adults, and their families to learn about and access health and long-term care options through Aging and Disability Resource Center Programs (ADRCs). ADRCs provide "one-stop shop" sources of information, one-on-one counseling, and streamlined access to programs and services that can enable people to remain in their own homes and communities.
This funding opportunity will expand ADRCs across the country. ADRCs are a collaborative effort of the Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Since 2003 AoA and CMS have jointly funded ADRC pilot programs in 45 states and territories. The new funding will build on and expand the existing pilots and ensure that every state can offer this program and its services to their citizens.
"Engaged and empowered consumers are an essential element of health and long-term care reform, and ADRCs are integral to making this happen," Secretary Sebelius said. "This program will help consumers and their families, and it can save taxpayer dollars. If people have options, they will be able to find the most appropriate and often lower-cost health-related and social services that support individuals to allow them to lead meaningful lives in their homes and communities."
The Administration's "Year of Community Living" was launched Monday to mark the 10th year anniversary of the Supreme Court Olmstead v. L.C. decision. This landmark ruling supported community living options for people with disabilities to ensure there is no discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. |
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· WORK INCENTIVES INFORMATION NETWORK
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New York Makes Work Pay (www.NYMakesWorkPay.org) is a statewide initiative designed to improve the employment rate among people with disabilities; it is funded by the Center for Medicaid Services as a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG). One of its primary objectives is to increase the availability of benefits and work incentives planning through the development of a statewide Work Incentives Information Network. The network will have three tiers of expertise and skill. Training is available on all three levels, but you have to apply for acceptance into the network first. While the deadline of June 12 has passed, there may be an opportunity to apply for any remaining seats, or to be considered for 2010 programming. For more information, contact Ray Cebula, Director of Training and Technical Assistance at
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· QUALITY COMMITTEE CAN ADDRESS YOUR QUESTIONS
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NYSACRA's Quality Committee is great at answering questions about the issues facing service providers. If you are looking for some ideas about different ways to handle something, or just to confirm that you are on the right track, consider sending your question to
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and from there, it will go out to our quality committee members. They have a great deal of experience and expertise to a wide range of topics, and would be happy to help. Once the responses are in, NYSACRA will collect them and pass them along to you. It's a great way to get some support from people doing the work you do, everyday. |
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· DYSFUNCTION CONTINUES IN STATE SENATE - STATE ASSEMBLY ADJOURNS
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According to the NYS Legislative Session Calendar, the 2009 State Legislative Session was scheduled to adjourn on Monday, June 22nd. The Assembly basically met that deadline, completing their work just before 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23rd. There has been no real progress on legislative matters in the State Senate since the Republican coup on Monday, June 8th.
In an effort to break the stalemate, the Governor used Executive powers and called Extraordinary Session for June 23rd and again on June 24th and 25th. He set forth agendas with legislation which require timely action including important measures which extend statutes set to expire. Extraordinary Session forces the full Senate into the Senate Chamber with the anticipation that Senator's will address such measures; the Senate this week did not address the Governor's agendas.
There remains a great deal of uncertainty in Albany with regard to the Senate powers, legality of the recent actions taken on legislation in the Senate and process related to Extraordinary Session. There is speculation that lawsuits filed by entities impacted by gridlock may resolve the stalemate in the Senate.
As of this morning Sens. Pedro Espada Jr. and Dean Skelos emerged from talks with Sens. Malcolm Smith and John Sampson to announce that there still is no power-sharing agreement, in spite of numerous reports to the contrary, and talks will likely continue into the weekend. |
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