welcome news update page
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| Join us in urging the Governor to invest in New Yorkers with disabilities and the people and agencies that serve them! We are calling on her to include the following requests in the 2025-26 New York State Budget:Investment in I/DD services through a 7.8% Medicaid rate increase to stabilize non-profit provider agencies.Creation of a Wage Commission to examine the roles and responsibilities of human service workers and establish fair, sustainable compensation standards commensurate with that work.Enhanced Capital Funding to help agencies modernize their operations, making them more energy-efficient and in alignment with the state’s climate goals. We need YOUR voice in this fight. Click the button below and tell the Governor to invest in New Yorkers with disabilities! |
| Thank you for being an advocate for people with disabilities. Consider joining the CP Family Group to stay up to date on disability issues and family supports. |
| Click the link below to log in and send your message: https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/B0pDrlpBmoSPADQ_6bQWUg |
| If you haven’t had the opportunity to comment on CB 13’s DOT traffic study please do so now. https://nycdotprojects.info/…/coney-island… Comments should be submitted to:[email protected] |
| NYDA Releases 2025 Legislative Asks |
| New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) has released their 2025 legislative asks.”We must move from a care crisis to a stable care system for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).The disability service system needs support for:7.8& Medicaid Rate IncreaseFair wages for direct support professionals (DSPs)Capital Funding to align with NYS climate goalsDecades of inadequate funding have caused sever staff shortages and left nonprofit provider agencies struggling to maintain facilities and provide the high quality of care that people with disabilities deserve. Without action, this lack of funding will continue to compromise the long-term sustainability of services for New Yorkers with disabilities.” |
Restaurant Meals Pilot Program (RMP)
An updated list of participating restaurants can be found Restaurant Meals Program – Participating Restaurants | OTDA (ny.gov)
All SNAP households can confirm their own RMP eligibility status by visiting ebtEDGE and creating or logging into their account. If the household is creating a new ebtEDGE account, they will need their CBIC/EBT card number, PIN, and an email address.
For more information on the Restaurant Meal Program, click here.
You can check your SNAP benefit balance by calling 1-888-328-6399 or visiting ebtEDGE
And in response to your question: You cannot purchase hot prepared meals anywhere unless both client and retailer (i.e. restaurant) are enrolled in RMP.
Click able news
click pcac news letter
Housing for people with developmental disabilities in New York State (NYS) has changed over the years. Until only about 40 years ago, large institutional settings such as the Willowbrook State School were standard care for people with developmental disabilities.
Through the advocacy of parents, people with developmental disabilities, and their family and supporters, institutional facilities for the developmentally disabled no longer operate in New York State, and there has been a concerted to provide a variety of housing options and other services to support people to live as independently in the community as possible. The CDD is proud to make this a cornerstone of its mission. In this edition, we highlight some of the CDD’s partnerships to provide housing options in order to improve quality of life and increase community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. As you will see in the videos provided here, when we encourage and provide a path to independence, everyone wins.
As we move further into the fall season, please take note of the voting and voter rights information and links, as well as the summary of the CDD’s 2nd Annual Advocacy Institute, which was sponsored along with our valued partners the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation and The Arc New York. As one Advocacy Institute participant concluded, “Though the struggle is real, the journey is doable.” Staying positive and being aware that change is usually incremental, and the advocacy journey is a marathon, not a sprint, are important parts of being a strong advocate.
We hope you continue to stay connected with the CDD and join us on this continued journey to independence and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
All the best,
Kristin Proud
Regional Housing Collaboratives Bring Together Housing-Related Professionals to Identify & Create Solutions
In 2019, the CDD provided a grant to The New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation (NY Alliance) to develop Regional Housing Collaboratives (RHCs) in each of the five NYS Office For People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Regions. RHCs are groups of diverse housing-related professionals interested in helping people with developmental disabilities and their families to identify and find their own person-driven housing solutions. The video, Housing Solutions for People with Developmental Disabilities: A Success Story, represents an impact of the Regional Housing Collaboratives Initiative.
register general election due oct 26 2024
CDD and Partners Host 2nd Annual
Advocacy Institute
New information. New skills, New friends. New beginnings. The 2024 Advocacy Institute recently held in Albany and sponsored by the CDD, the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation and The Arc New York, was a day full of learning and opportunity. More than 30 participants new to advocacy gathered for a full day of interactive workshops and sessions to learn strategies and build confidence when advocating for themselves or a family member. From how to know your audience and efficiently tell your story, to creating an effective “ask” and follow-up, participants practiced how to own their advocacy. We are grateful to the many participants who generously shared their stories and the speakers, panel members, mentors and sponsors who offered their guidance. Please enjoy a visual summary of the day below.
General Election Registration Deadline
Date
October 26, 2024
- Registration Deadlines
Last day voter registration application must be received by BOEs by mail or in person. §§ 5-210 (3); 5-211 & 5-212
- Early Mail Ballot Deadlines
Last day for board of elections to receive an application for Early mail ballot. §8-700
- Absentee Ballot Deadlines
Last day application for ballot must be received by BOE. §8-400 (2)(c)
- Military/Special Federal Voter Deadlines
Last day for a BOE to receive application for ballot if not previously registered. §§10-106 (5) & 11-202 (1)(a)
General Election November 5, 2024
Manhattan Office: 200 Varick Street, 10 Fl New York, NY 10014
Bronx Office: 1780 Grand Concourse, 5 Fl Bronx, NY 10457
Brooklyn Office: 345 Adams Street, 4 Fl Brooklyn, NY 11201
Queens Office: 118-35 Queens Boulevard, 11 Fl Forest Hills, NY 11375
Staten Island Office: 1 Edgewater Plaza, 4 Fl Staten Island, NY 10305
Executive Office: 32-42 Broadway, 7 Fl New York, NY 10004
- Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm.
- Early Voting Period is Saturday, October 26, 2024
- – Saturday, November 3, 2024.
General Election
- Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm.
- Early Voting Period is October 26, 2024 – November 3, 2024.
| Early Voting Dates | Early Voting Hours |
| Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 8AM to 5PM |
| Sunday, October 27, 2024 | 8AM to 5PM |
| Monday, October 28, 2024 | 8AM to 8PM |
| Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | 8AM to 8PM |
| Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | 8AM to 8PM |
| Thursday, October 31, 2024 | 8AM to 8PM |
| Friday, November 1, 2024 | 8AM to 8PM |
| Saturday, November 2, 2024 | 8AM to 5PM |
| Sunday, November 3, 2024 | 8AM to 5PM |
click Find Your Pollsite and View a Sample Ballot
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New York City Ballot Request Portal
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MTA Releases Proposed 2025-2029 Capital Plan
$68.4 Billion Plan is the Largest State of Good Repair Investment in MTA History, With More Than 90% Dedicated to Rebuilding and Improving the System
Priorities include Order of 2,000 Railcars, More than 60 Newly Accessible Stations, and Modern Fare Gates at 150 Stations
Infrastructure Investments to Upgrade Outdated Power Systems, Rebuild 100-Year-Old Shops, and Rehabilitate Structures like the Grand Central Artery
Funding for Interborough Express Construction
View 2025-2029 Capital Plan
View Video of News Conference
View Photos of News Conference
View Maps of Planned Investments in New York City & Throughout the Region
View Introductory Video to Capital Plan,
full information
click mta capital 2025 2029
MTA To Hold Public Open Houses on the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan
First Open House at Grand Central Terminal on Oct. 21
Read the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan
View Introductory Video to Capital Plan, ‘The Future Rides With Us’
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced it will host a series of Open Houses on the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan. The first Open House will take place at Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall from 3 – 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the plan and speak with MTA leadership.
The Open House will feature an exhibition of informational posters, pamphlets, and videos explaining key elements of the Capital Plan. Agency representatives will also be on hand to discuss career opportunities at the MTA and business opportunities for Minority-, Women-, Disadvantaged-, and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned firms.
The MTA will host additional Open Houses in the operating region throughout the end of the year.
“Every New Yorker depends on the transit system and the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan adopted by the MTA makes that continue with a historic level of investment to keep the system in good repair,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “With accessibility upgrades, thousands of new railcars, modern signals to make the system more reliable, and more, this plan benefits everyone across the 12 county MTA region.”
“The 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan will rebuild and improve New York’s transit system to address critical state of good repair needs,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “Events like this Open House showcase the work we are doing every day at MTA C&D to deliver projects better, faster, and cheaper. It will demonstrate how we will execute the next capital plan with the same efficiency.”
The Capital Plan is a historic $68.4 billion investment in the region’s subways, buses, railroads, bridges, and tunnels over the next five years that ensures New Yorkers continue to have access to reliable, accessible, and sustainable transit. It includes targeted investments to rebuild, improve, and expand the MTA system. It will enable the MTA to continue to provide frequent and reliable service by putting the system on a path to state of good repair, including investments in railcars, power, and signals. The plan will also improve the customer experience, with investments in accessibility, stations, and modern fare gates, and take action on climate change, including resilience and sustainability initiatives. The 2025-2029 Capital Plan builds on the most detailed system-wide evaluation the MTA has ever undertaken, the Twenty-Year Needs Assessment.
please contact
| OPWDD Issues Final Report on Managed Care Assessment |
MTA
Congestion pricing pause
click power point of the congestion pricing pause
Congestion pricing pause
Hut seniors and people with disabilities
And veterans disabilities
Feel free to contact the following elected officials to share your thoughts:
Gov Hochul: 518-474-8390
Lt Gov Delgado: 518-402-2292
State Senator Jackson: 518-455-2041
Assembly member Taylor: 518-455-5491
U.S. Representative Espaillat: 212-497-5959
City council member De La Rosa: 212-788-7053
What you can do:
1 call Schumer’s office at 202-224-6542
2 call your congressman, state legislators, and city councilmembers every day
MTA projects that congestion pricing delay may affect
MORE INFORMATION WILL BE AT MTA BOARD COMMITTEE ON MONDAY
TO GET MORE MTA PRESS CLICK MTA PRESS RELEASE
This ADM sets out the requirements for the Family Support Services (FSS) Family Reimbursement Program. It includes eligibility requirements for reimbursement, how to request and process reimbursements, and the roles and responsibilities of FSS provider agencies, individuals, and families. This ADM will have a 7/1/22 effective date to allow providers time to update their contracts/work plans and allow for training within the Regional offices and provider community.
watch FSS Quarterly Meeting June 12, 2024
Any question email [email protected] or [email protected]
 |
| Dear Friends and Colleagues,The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is pleased to announce that the 1915(c) Comprehensive Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Renewal has been approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).The HCBS Waiver is the Medicaid program that provides opportunities for adults and children with developmental disabilities to receive services in their home or community.This Waiver Renewal is effective October 1, 2024 and will fund Home and Community-Based Services for nearly 100,000 people who are currently supported by OPWDD and its network of providers. It extends the actions included in last year’s October 1, 2023, Waiver Amendment and includes additional technical changes and service estimates to reflect current Waiver operations. The Waiver Renewal has been approved for the five-year period of October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2029.A copy of the approved October 1, 2024, Waiver Renewal is available on the OPWDD website at: https://opwdd.ny.gov/providers/home-and-community-based-services-waiver. Sincerely,Willow Baer Acting Commissioner |
- Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage. Including, plug the charger
directly into a wall electrical outlet for charging. - When purchasing devices, be sure that the equipment has the Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
mark. The UL mark shows that the product has been safety tested. - Keep batteries/devices at room temperature. Do not place in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
- Store batteries away from anything flammable.
Avoid - Overcharging.
- Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
- Plugging into a power strip or overloading an outlet.
- Using after-market (or generic) batteries or chargers.
- Do not charge between yourself and the primary way in/out of the room.
What to look for:
| People First News, April 2024 |
| 2025 New York State Budget Continues Support for People with Developmental DisabilitiesOn April 21, Governor Hochul announced passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget. This final enacted budget represents agreement between the Governor and the two houses of the state Legislature, the Senate and the Assembly. The final enacted budget, which grows state spending on OPWDD programs by over $420 million to nearly $5.2 billion, a nearly 9% increase, also includes many of the Governor’s original proposals to benefit New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and expands upon her proposed cost of living adjustment (COLA). |
The budget includes $89 million, leveraging a total of $256 million, to provide a 2.84% COLA – with at least 1.7% dedicated to increasing salaries of eligible staff. Since 2022, the state has invested more than $2.7 billion to support the workforce, including $1.3 billion in one-time federally-participating bonuses, nearly $1.1 billion in total all shares funding through three consecutive COLAs and over $340 million in state-funded bonuses. It also makes $79 million available, leveraging a total investment of nearly $270 million, to recalculate service provider reimbursement rates more accurately based on recent cost data.
The new Budget once again invests $60 million in new state funding for new service opportunities to meet the needs of people coming into the developmental disabilities service system for the first time and people who seek changes to their existing services. The new State resources will combine with federal matching dollars to deliver $200 million in funds for new services. This is in addition to a $15 million commitment to expanding independent living opportunities through the development of safe and accessible housing, for a total investment over the past nine years of $140 million.
The enacted Budget includes $6.7 million to support New York’s commitment to becoming an Employment First state and provide more New Yorkers with disabilities the opportunity to work in competitive and integrated jobs.
The budget also includes more than $3 million for Home Enabling Supports such as assistive technology which will enable more people to live as independently as possible.
NYC FAIR
FAMILY ADVOCACY & INFORMATION RESOURCES
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