April 19, 2021
CP State News
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April 20 advocacy session postponed
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the April 20 session of “Teena’s Trunk” will be postponed to a date to be determined.
Sessions are scheduled to resume on April 27, but we will be sure to announce any other changes if they occur.
“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. All sessions are on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. 
  • April 27: Guardianship & SSI
  • May 11: Medical Advocacy.
  • May 25: Domestic Abuse
April 22, 7 PM
Susan Constantino featured panelist at State Budget Town Hall
On Thursday, April 22, 7 p.m., our own Susan Constantino will join a panel on the final State Budget. Click here to register. Participants are welcome to send questions in advance on the registration form or by email to info@nycfair.org.
April 26, 11:30 AM
Webinar on patient and family access to health info on April 26
The 21st Century CURES Act, a federal mandate that supports patients' access to and control of their medical records, recently went into effect. Health care systems are now required to share clinical notes with patients, free of charge. he NYS Health Foundation will host an online discussion with experts in the field to learn more about the strategies health systems are employing to make sharing notes with patients easier and more productive. This 60-minute webinar will begin at 11:30 and feature a discussion followed by audience Q&A.
Fight chronic underfunding of special education!
New York’s special education preschool 4410 and school age 853 programs are in trouble! Our schools serve children with disabilities whose local public school district cannot provide a free and appropriate public education as required by law. In this year’s budget, school aid funding was increased by $3 billion, but schools for children with disabilities are historically neglected.
This issue is picking up steam, so act now!
Late last week, Senator John Mannion sent a letter urging SED Commissioner Rosa and DOB Director Mujica to provide immediate financial help, 11% growth (commensurate with State Education funding increases) and initiation of tuition rate methodology redesign for our 4410 and 853 schools.
Updated Interim Training and Recertification Guidance webinar
A session will be held to review the updated training and recertification guidance and expectations required to move forward with training and staff development programs.
Topics will include:
  • Regulations impacted and next steps
  • Flexibilities and timelines
  • Available resources
Date: April 23, 2021
Time: 1:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.
It is recommended for you to pre-register to reserve your attendance at the webinar. 
If you have any questions about registering for the webinar, please email Talent Development and Training at: talentdevelopment@opwdd.ny.gov
Funding opportunity for increasing COVID-19 vaccinations
The Development Disabilities Planning Council has announced the availability of approximately $219,000 to increase access to COVID-19 vaccinations for those that we serve. OPWDD is also seeking proposals from Provider Associations to provide to DDPC to obtain funding to break down barriers and unequal access in communities to vaccinate people with disabilities. 
NYC Ballet offering FREE workshops in May
The NYC Ballet is once again conducting Virtual Access Workshops throughout the month of May. The workshops are free and are geared toward either children or teens and adults with disabilities. 
DQI to phase back in routine activities starting May 1
The following was sent by OPWDD on April 16: Due to the demands placed on agencies related to responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic, for approximately the past year, OPWDD’s Division of Quality Improvement (DQI) reduced or suspended some of its routine activities while expanding its activities to include oversight of COVID-19 reporting and response efforts. Please be advised that, beginning May 1, 2021, and over the months to come, DQI will be phasing many of its routine activities back in. DQI will eventually resume all routine oversight functions, while continuing to monitor agencies’ COVID-19 response efforts, as appropriate. 
To the extent possible, DQI will continue to conduct some oversight activities remotely. When conducting onsite monitoring, DQI’s Bureau of Program Certification staff will take all necessary precautions to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19. 
OPWDD will continue to review oversight activities and make adjustments where necessary throughout the months to come.
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