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April brings us showers, May flowers, and a late budget not fully prioritizing the needs of New Yorkers with disabilities. Throughout March we have been focusing on three key priorities: increased funding for both Independent Living Centers (ILCs)/inclusion in the human services Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), the Access to Home Program, and preventing significant, discriminatory cuts to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). Below is a brief summary of where things stand in terms of our top priorities. This is all subject to change once the Assembly, Senate, and Governor all agree on the state budget.
Increased funding for ILCs
- Governor Hochul: no increase for ILCs, leaving the network level-funded at $16 million.
- Senate: included our $2 million ask in their one-house budget, and included language to include ILCs in Cost of Living Adjustment increases like other human service agencies.
- Assembly: level funds ILCs at $16 million.
Access to Home:
- Governor Hochul: cut $2 million from the program bringing total funding to $1 million.
- Senate: restored $2 million cuts and added an additional $1 million of funding to equal $4 million.
- Assembly: restored $2 million cut.
CDPAP:
- Governor: eliminates Designated Representatives who assist people with disabilities unable to self-direct their homecare due to disability, language barrier, children under 18, or other reasons. This would be a roughly 40% cut in program users statewide. Also eliminates wage parity for downstate homecare workers, and makes changes to how Fiscal Intermediaries (FI)s are authorized to continue operating which could jeopardize the role of Independent Living Centers in the program.
- Senate: rejects Governor Hochul’s cuts to program eligibility and wage parity cuts. However, in recent budget negotiations they are rumored to be discussing carving CDPA out of future minimum wage increases.
- Assembly: also rejected the Governor’s cuts to eligibility and wage parity. However, in budget negotiations they have discussed a shift to one statewide FI to administer the program. This would eliminate consumer choice by not giving people with disabilities or their Designated Representatives options for which agency they want to use to pay their aide. Additionally, they want to have a minimum of 20-40 hours to qualify for CDPA.
How can you help? Signing up for our action alerts is the best way to share your story with the Assemblymember and Senator who represent your area. Whether you, or someone you know works for an ILC, uses CDPA, or would benefit from home modifications human impact stories are the most effective way to make change. If you would like help sharing your story reach out to our Communications Specialist Blaise Bryant.
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