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Greetings NYSACRA Members!
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OPWDD ACTING COMMISSIONER MAX CHMURA DEPARTS
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On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, Max Chmura, Acting Commissioner of NYS OPWDD left his position. As a long time colleague, NYSACRA wishes Max well in the next phase of his life and career. Jim Moran Acting Executive Deputy has been named Acting Commissioner of NYS OPWDD and provided testimony the next day at the Joint budget hearings!
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NYSACRA SUBMITS TESTIMONY ON PROPOSED 2011-12 EXECUTIVE BUDGET
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This week, NYSACRA submitted budget testimony to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. To coincide with the scheduled joint Legislative Budget hearing for mental hygiene, NYSACRA's testimony covers key points related to the economy, workforce, systems finance, community based programs and fair Medicaid auditing practices. NYSACRA calls upon the State Legislature to support round VII of the Health Care Adjustment and supports the Governor's proposal to downsize state operated services for people with developmental disabilities and redirect funds to community-based services. To read NYSACRA's testimony, click here.
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FAMILY ADVOCACY DAY IS FRIDAY, MARCH 11th
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NYSACRA is proud to collaborate with partner statewide associations and coalitions to plan Family Advocacy Day on Friday, March 11th. Parents and family members are encouraged to schedule meetings with their State Legislators, in their district offices, to discuss issues that are important to people with developmental disabilities, parents and family members. This year, advocacy on the proposed 2011-12 Executive Budget remains critical and we look forward to sharing resources that will be helpful when visiting with State Legislators. Look for a special alert to be released in the very near future.
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ADD EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR ONLINE TESTIMONIAL SUBMISSION
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The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) has extended the deadline for on-line testimonies for their "Envisioning the Future" initiative. Their website is designed to "count" items so we need to start a campaign immediately to provide positive testimony about direct support workforce development, community programs and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and other ideas that you would like to advance. It is important to take five minutes to do this, so please consider writing a few brief words and send them to ADD before March 4th. The website for submitting your testimony/position statement is: http://www.envision2010.net/comment_submit.php. There are many questions about what counts as a "testimony." They are accepting everything from short paragraphs and position statements all the way to multi-page research papers. The important thing is that they need to hear from you, no matter the length.
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WOLF WOLFENSBERGER
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It is with sadness that NYSACRA reports the death of Wolf Wolfensberger who passed away on February 27. Dr. Wolfensberger was a professor in the School of Education at Syracuse University and the director of the Training Institute for Human Service Planning, Leadership and Change Agentry at Syracuse University. He was an internationally renowned and often controversial scholar, activist and prolific author in the field of developmental disabilities. A major early promoter and organizer of community services for those who were at the time referred to as "mentally retarded," he worked tirelessly to liberate societally devalued people from oppressions and improve their social position. He popularized the principle of normalization in North America, formulated the concept of Social Role Valorization, and founded Citizen Advocacy, which recruits ordinary citizens to act as unpaid voluntary individual advocates for vulnerable persons. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 259 East Onondaga Street in Syracuse. On Friday, March 4, calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. with a vigil service from 6 to 7 p.m. at All Saints Church, 1340 Lancaster Avenue in Syracuse. Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Citizen Advocacy Foundation of America, c/o S. Thomas, 231 Miles Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210.
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NYSACRA REQUESTS YOUR INPUT ON STRATEGIC PLAN SURVEY
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NYSACRA has a strategic plan that covers the period 2006 - 2011. As the current plan winds down, we have a steering committee in place to guide the board and our preparation for a new plan. We invite you to use this online Strategic Plan Survey to evaluate some aspects of what we do and provide suggestions for the future. We will also be conducting a number of deeper interviews with members around the region and other stakeholders, such as state agencies, parent and self advocacy organizations, and non-members. We will also connect with members at the Annual Conference (April 12 - 15) for more input. We will shape the plan this summer based on all the feedback we have collected, and expect it to be ready in time to share with you at the annual Leadership Conference in November/December. We welcome as many responses from your agency as you care to send. We've often said that our members are the foundation of what we do and make our accomplishments possible. We're excited to hear your ideas about shaping NYSACRA's future. Please feel free to call with any questions. We would like your survey response by March 25, 2011.
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Online Defensive Driving Course
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