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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
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HEALTH INSURANCE DROPS
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DSP RECOGNITION WEEK
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2011 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: Moving Mountains Awards
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SHARE YOUR DSP WEEK CELEBRATION STORIES AND PHOTOS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The OMIG bill that NYSACRA has supported was delivered to the Governor 9/12/11 as were two other bills. They are: A.8325 (Ortiz) and S5795 - McDonald -which relates to reporting of crimes at mental hygiene facilities
and A.8324 (Ortiz) and S 5793 - McDonald -which requires OPWDD (OMH and OASAS) to include a provision in all contracts with agencies and providers that a clause be required to provide notice to all new hires and current employees that all instances of abuse shall be investigated. NYSACRA had provided letters of support for these two bills. NYSACRA will keep you posted as to the Governor‘s action on these bills.
HEALTH INSURANCE DROPS
In a report from Families USA, we learned that the Census Bureau has reported revised numbers on uninsured people in the US. They show that 36.6 million people were uninsured in 2000, and in 2010, that number increased to 49.9 million. While the overall population grew from 279.5 million to 306.1 million during that the same time period, the number of people with job-based health insurance dropped from 181.9 million to 169.3 million—a decrease of almost 10 percent.
Families USA noted that there is a silver lining to be found in these numbers. The Census Bureau data shows that the health safety-net programs—Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)—continue to serve as a lifeline to millions of Americans, especially those who have lost their employer-sponsored health coverage.
In 2010, 48.6 million people were enrolled in safety-net health coverage, an increase of 20.5 million from the 28.1 million enrollees in 2000. Of this increase, 11.1 million—more than half—were children.
This clearly shows the importance of protecting Medicaid from budget cuts. Medicaid has become a key lifeline for millions of families across the country, and that lifeline must be protected.
Please go here for the full Census Bureau report.
DSP RECOGNITION WEEK
What better way to recognize and celebrate your Direct Support Professionals than by having them participate in NYSACRA’s Regional Direct Support Professional Conferences. Held regionally, these events are dedicated to celebrating their efforts, offering top-quality keynote speakers and sharing information and education through workshops and networking opportunities. Here’s the schedule so far:
October 18 Capital La-Verna Fountain, keynote Hyatt Place Hotel, Malta
October 27 Mid-Hudson Dave Hingsburger, keynote Clarion Hotel,Poughkeepsie
November 3 Long Island La-Verna Fountain, keynote Chateau Briand, CarlePlace
November 9 New York City La-Verna Fountain, keynote Baruch College, NYC
Co-sponsored by DSPANYS, these are educational, inspiring and fun-filled days where DSPs can also share their opinions and concerns in open forums and we can gain valuable insight into what we can do to assist in them in the professionalization of their careers.
2011 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: Moving Mountains Awards
The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and the Research and Training Center (RTC) at the University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration are seeking nominations for the 2011 Moving Mountains Awards. The purpose of this award is to recognize organizations using best practice in direct support staff workforce development that result in improved outcomes for the people being supported. Organizations applying will be able to illustrate how their direct support workforce practices and philosophy aligns with the goals of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals.
These nominations are a component of a national research project in which the RTC will conduct in-depth case studies to richly describe the characteristics, objectives, and outcomes of best practice initiatives designed to improve competence, status, compensation, and stability of direct support staff. Descriptions of the case studies will be disseminated and shared with provider agencies, policy makers, and interested stakeholder groups in a number of ways, including: on the RTC and NADSP World Wide Web sites, as practical illustrations in RTC/NADSP publications and presentations, and in a final publication on best practice.
Nominated programs/initiatives can be small (a single program) or large (statewide) in scope and can involve few or many direct support professionals. Organizations that have applied previously but were not selected are invited and encouraged to re-submit a nomination for this year's competition. The RTC and the NADSP are looking for unique and creative initiatives that contribute to improving workforce outcomes for direct support professionals and their employers. We welcome applications from statewide/regional initiatives, local organizations, and individual people. Up to two awards will be given each year. This year's award winners will be honored at a national conference in 2012. (Click here for complete application) DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: November 30, 2011
SHARE YOUR DSP WEEK CELEBRATION STORIES AND PHOTOS
As you capture the smiles and spirit of your DSP Recognition Week celebrations, please send NYSACRA photos and stories of your favorite activities. We will compile the information and forward to ANCOR for them to post on youneedtoknowme.org and their facebook page. Please email Lisa Mount at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your wonderful stories and photos. NYSACRA looks forward to hearing about your celebrations.
