May 13, 2022
Urgent Call to Action: Special Education School Funding
In our April 29 Advocacy Update, we shared The Arc New York's advocacy efforts in support of funding for special education. Now, we are taking this message directly to Governor Hochul through your grassroots action! We're calling on you to join the fight and send a message to the Governor through our one-click advocacy campaign.

Last year, Governor Hochul vetoed legislation which would have provided special education schools (4410, 853 & Special Act schools) funding parity with the yearly public-school increase. In her veto message, she promised a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 11% for the 2022-23 school year, which was reiterated in the Executive Budget proposal. 

However, due to the current tuition funding structure, the final budget language, and disagreements between the State Education Department (SED) and Division of Budget (DOB), most schools will not be able receive this promised 11% increase. We cannot allow administrative gridlock to block this much needed funding.

Take action and urge the governor and the DOB to find a solution that keeps the promise to our special education schools for an 11% ($240 million) increase effective July 1, 2022. New York’s most vulnerable children deserve it!
Want to do More?
Visit The Arc New York Advocacy Center for more ways to take action, including campaigns to support federal funding, employment opportunities, and our dedicated workforce. You can also find tools and resources to help you be a stronger advocate for New Yorkers with disabilities.

The Arc New York Joins Coalition in Support HCBS Funding
The Arc New York joined a broad coalition of more than 25 stakeholders consisting of home and community-based services (HCBS) care consumers, advocates, unions and providers in sending a letter to the New York State Congressional Delegation in support of the proposed $150 billion federal investment in HCBS. The letter called on Congress to permanently address the HCBS workforce shortage by providing a living wage for the essential workers who care for the most vulnerable New Yorkers – seniors and people with disabilities.

This message is yet another way to support our current grassroots campaign to support The Arc New York’s workforce and the people we support. To add your voice, please participate in our one-click email campaign and share with your friends and family on social media.

School-to-Employment Transition Webinar
The Arc of the US and the National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) project will host a webinar on School-to-Employment Transition Services on May 18 from 4-5 PM. Any of staff who are working in or have an interest in school-to- employment transition related services. The presentation will include studies and recent legislation related to optimal transition services, the role of work experiences and work-based learning services, as well as the importance of interagency collaboration. The webinar focuses on providers as important partners in the transition services in your communities. Panelists are subject matter experts with the Department of Labor’s NEON Project and have extensive experience in provider transformation and expanding competitive integrated employment. Register here to attend!
This and all advocacy updates are archived on The Arc New York website for future reference. Please contact us if you have questions regarding any of this information.
Contact: Philip Aydinian, Director of Governmental Affairs 
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