May 6, 2021 CP State News We're here for you!

NY passes 16 million vaccine doses administered

New York has administered over 16 million vaccine doses. More than 9 million New Yorkers have received at least one dose and over 7 million New Yorkers are fully vaccinated (45% of the eligible population). Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday reiterated his concern that the number of vaccinations being administered is starting to slow, and said the state is focused on vaccinating young people and convincing hesitant individuals. Click here to read more.

Gauging interest in an in-person ballet workshop CP State is pleased to announce that our friends at the New York City Ballet will be sending a small group of dancers, musicians, and staff to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center the week of July 12 and would like to host an in-person Access Workshop for individuals with I/DD the afternoon of Friday, July 16.  Health and Safety protocols would be in place, and the workshop would be held on an outdoor stage (dancers and buddies), with family members seated in the audience.   We know that families have different comfort levels in this current COVID climate, so we first want to gauge interest in participation before we commit to an in-person event. Please email Bill DeVoe at wdevoe@cpstate.org as soon as possible to let us know if you would be interested in sending individuals from your Affiliate.

DOL taking nominations for Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship Do you want to advocate for apprenticeships in the I/DD field? President Biden recently directed the Department to re-establish the ACA, because he believes that the voice of workers must be central to the development of strategies to rebuild the economy of the future. Today, the Department announced the return of the ACA and is now looking to attract a diverse and balanced group of executive leaders to serve on its membership. The ACA will help the Department develop a modern and streamlined apprenticeship system that works for all communities and across all industries. The membership nomination period will close on June 3, 2021. Instructions on how to apply or nominate someone are located here: ACA Landing Page Federal Register Notice

May 11 session on Guardianship & SSI “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. All sessions are on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.  May 11: Guardianship & SSI May 18: Medical Advocacy. May 25: Domestic Abuse 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.  Click here for more information on Teena.

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. Use CP State's advocacy tool to contact your Assemblymember and ask them to sign the letter. Please share this with staff, families, and other advocates in your communities.

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. Click here to take the survey.

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. Click here for more information and to register.

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. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Register now and take advantage of the Early Registration Fee option! Early Registration deadline is June 10. Final Registration deadline is September 6.

CP of NYS | cpstate.org

‌ ‌