April 30, 2021
CP State News
We're here for you! 
Ask your Assemblymember to support special education schools!
Assemblymember Michael Benedetto, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, is circulating a sign-on letter supporting the State Education Department’s requests to DOB for our 4410 and 853 schools, including a 7% tuition increase for the 2021-22 school year.
Please share this with staff, families, and other advocates in your communities.
OPWDD reports vaccination data, will compile on guidance page 
During yesterday’s Stakeholder Call, OPWDD reviewed vaccination data as of April 23:
  • People living in residential programs – 99% of programs reporting; 82.5 % had received 1 vaccine dose; 9% declination rate;
  • Staff working in residential programs– 99% of programs reporting; 29.4% had received 1 vaccine dose; 37.9% declination rate;
  • Staff associated with day/waiver services – over 83% of programs reporting; over 29.6% have received 1 dose and there has been an 17.2% declination rate; and,
  • Care managers - 100% of programs reporting: 42.7% receiving at least 1 dose; 4.4% declination rate
OPWDD will begin posting data such as new individual positives, weekly staff positives at the lower part of their guidance page: https://opwdd.ny.gov/coronavirus-guidance.  
CP family delivers special message at Autism Awareness event
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara held his annual Autism Awareness rally and CP State was honored to share a special video message featuring Executive Director Mike Alvaro and staff from Upstate Cerebral Palsy.
Hit the thumbnail or click here to watch the video, and click here to watch a recording of the virtual rally.
Survey: Understanding mental health in the time of COVID
Benjamin Margolis MD (Access: Supports for Living in New York) and Jessi Solomon Sanders, MD (University of Colorado in Denver), along with the AADMD COVID-19 Workgroup team in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology’s Section on Adults with I/DD and the Rose Kennedy Center at Montefiore are surveying adults with I/DD and their caregivers.
Help us understand your experiences with mental health in the time of COVID-19. Take the survey and share it with patients with I/DD and their caregivers.
May 14, 8:30 a.m.
Symposium on intersectional impact of disability, race and COVID-19
This symposium will explore the Intersectionality of Disability, Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Gender Identities, and the Political Determinants of Health and provoke a deeper discussion, a greater sense of shared responsibility and a better-defined road map for future action in partnership with people with disabilities.
Spring Provider Training presentation available
Click here for the presentation from the April 28 OPWDD Spring Provider Training. In the near future you will receive additional information as the Division of Quality Improvement and other presenters review questions that were received and assemble additional information. This will also be posted to SLMS in the near future. 
New regs from OPWDD
OPWDD has recently adopted two new regulations:
  • Consent to Medical Treatment – this regulation amends 14 NYCRR 633.11 in order to assist providers in administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here for the full text. 
  • Medication Regimen Review – this regulation amends 14 NYCRR 633.16 and 633.17 to make technical corrections to align with current regulation allowing for an annual medication regimen review or more frequently as needed. Click here for the full text. 
A proposed reduction in rates for voluntary resident programs in the coming days by the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities is raising concerns with state lawmakers who urged a minimum 90 day-pause in their implementation, according to a letter obtained by Spectrum News on Wednesday. 
The cuts would take effect on Saturday, impacting programs that benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the same time, the lawmakers in the letter pointed to the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on these programs, as well as the uncertainty facing families. 
'Teena's Trunk' advocacy sessions resume May 4
Due to unforeseen circumstances, sessions of “Teena’s Trunk” have been rescheduled to the following dates. All sessions are on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. 
  • May 4: Family Members with I/DD
  • May 11: Guardianship & SSI
  • May 18: Medical Advocacy.
  • May 25: Domestic Abuse
“Teena’s Trunk” poignantly recounts Teena Fitzroy’s often funny, sometimes heart-breaking, personal journey. Audiences experience Teena’s struggles and successes in growing up while learning to live with a disability.
These sessions are free and open to everyone. This series is great for family members and self-advocates, so please share this information widely in your communities.
Participants should email Tim Ferguson at TFerguson@cpstate.org for the seminar links. 
CP State HR Conference is back!
CP State is proud to announce the return of the 4th Annual Human Resources Professionals Conference for the Disability Provider Community on September 14-15, 2021 at our traditional location, the Embassy Suites!
This two-day conference will feature HR subject matter experts who will discuss trending topics ranging from cultural diversity to recruiting in the current employment market. Rich Landau, a principal with Jackson Lewis, will join us once again as the Opening Session Speaker. A dynamic presenter, Rich has a wealth of practical knowledge about current labor and employment law practice. These information-packed sessions will also provide informal time to catch up with peers.
Register now and take advantage of the Early Registration Fee option!
Early Registration deadline is June 10.
Final Registration deadline is September 6.
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