Share
During the last two weeks, we all began to experience the season of renewal and rejuvenation. The days are longer. The weather is warmer after an extremely cold winter. As you walk or drive through your neighborhood you may even experience or observe a "mood shift." After such a challenging winter, people appear less stressed and seem to be welcoming the new season. At the YAI Network, our staff did an incredible job providing quality services and ensuring the health and well-being of those we support during some of our more challenging days.
During the last couple of months, our efforts have been focused on advocacy. Individuals, families and staff have worked hard within their communities and in Albany to ensure that elected officials understand the issues important to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. New York State did have a surplus this year. With additional funds available, we were hopeful that we could see some significant funding gains. While that was not the case, I'm convinced that our collective advocacy efforts were responsible for the funding of an additional 2 percent increase for our dedicated Direct Support Professionals and Clinicians.
Other key provisions in the budget include:
- $30 million ($120 million annualized) to provide up to 3,500 new or expanded residential, day, employment, case management, respite and other services for individuals with I/DD.
- $5 million for creating opportunities for people with disabilities living with aging caregivers who can no longer provide support. This is the first time residential options for families on the wait-list have been targeted in several years.
- Planning and reporting of regional gaps in services, greater understanding of OPWDD's Front Door and an assessment of a residential wait-list.
- The possibility of a 2 or 3 percent increase in our preschools. This is still not determined and may only be considered if there are additional efficiencies.
Despite the effectiveness of early intervention, no additional funding was provided for this critical service. We must continue to educate our elected officials on the value of this service and develop a strategy for long term sustainability.
Now that the warmer weather is here, I thought I'd share an update on a recent event, as well as others on the horizon.
Manhattan Star Academy Open House
The Manhattan Star Academy, our newest affiliate for school-age children with disabilities, moved into its beautiful new location in Lincoln Center. An Open House celebration took place on April 21. Parents are thrilled and children are enjoying access to the Upper West Side neighborhood.
International Conference
Our International Conference "Living, Loving, Working, and Learning" is just around the corner, May 4-7, at the New York Hilton Midtown. This conference provides an opportunity for us to come together as a community committed to improving the lives of individuals with I/DD.
We will have a special evening for family caregivers featuring retired attorney and parent advocate Murray Schneps, author of "I See Your Face Before Me," on Wednesday, May 6, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Many sessions are designed to empower families, answer questions and help build the best possible supports for the entire family. Registration is required.
We've added another conference to our spring events lineup. YAI, Premier HealthCare and The Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center will present our 11th Latino Health Care Conference "Hacia una Mayor Independencia" (Toward Greater Independence) on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at the CUNY Graduate Center. The free conference, offered entirely in Spanish, will feature workshops on topics such as autism, advocacy, behavior management, stress reduction and much more. Please share this information with families and professionals who work with the community. For online registration, to download a copy of the brochure or to learn more, visit yai.org/latino.
YAI and Broadview Networks Central Park Challenge
We hope you'll join the movement and register for our annual YAI and Broadview Networks Central Park Challenge on Saturday, June 6. Funds raised through this incredible event support the individuals in our programs and families we serve. If you've never attended, it really is remarkable to see thousands of attendees with and without disabilities side-by-side enjoying a wonderful day in the park. Register today at yai.org/cpc.
YAI Annual Golf Tournament
And, if you're already in the swing of things, tee off with us on Thursday, June 11 at North Shore Country Club for our 2015 Annual Golf Tournament. This year's honoree is Frank Grasso, CEO and owner of TGI Office Automation.
Through all of these events, we are staying focused and true to our mission of seeing beyond disability and promoting more opportunities for living, loving, working and learning. Our initiatives this spring focus on education, information, community awareness, inclusion and fundraising to secure the additional resources to maintain our level of quality. I look forward to seeing you at any or all of these events.