|
NYSARC Exclusive Endorsement Program
|
Insurance Carrier
|
Visit NYSARC's
website today!
|
|
|
Visit NYSARC
Trust Services'
website today!
|
|
|
Subscribe to our
YouTube channel!
|
|
|
|
| |
|
NYSARC, #bFair2DirectCare recognize dedicated DSPs
As part of Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week Sept. 11-17, NYSARC, Inc. salutes the more than 20,000 hard-working, dedicated Direct Support Professionals at our 48 operating Chapters statewide.
 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the foundation of New York's system of supports for people with developmental and other disabilities. They tirelessly and unselfishly support more than 128,000 people with developmental disabilities statewide. Their jobs are extraordinarily difficult but tremendously rewarding. DSPs have an incredible responsibility, are highly skilled, work in demanding situations, and are subject to intense quality monitoring and regulatory scrutiny. Families will attest that DSPs are like family to the individuals they support and some DSPs work with the same individuals for most of their careers.
Throughout the week,
NYSARC and the
#bFair2DirectCare Coalition will spotlight these inspiring DSPs at NYSARC Chapters and other statewide developmental disability agencies on social media. Also, visit your local Chapter websites and social media sites to learn more about how agencies in your community are recognizing their outstanding, talented DSPs.
The week continues the "300 Days to Better Pay" campaign's efforts to maintain top of mind awareness among legislators and the Governor that direct care workers at not-for-profit agencies statewide deserve a fair rate of pay commensurate with their vital support responsibilities. Earlier this summer, campaign organizers conducted news conferences in Albany, Utica, Long Island, New York City, and Schenectady. DSPs, Self-Advocates, family members, agency executives, and key legislators spoke passionately on their vital role and how they deserve to make more than the minimum wage. The campaign's goal is to have the Governor and the Legislature approve appropriate budget funding for these dedicated professionals when the 2017-18 state budget is finalized April 1, 2017.
|
|
Support the #bFair2DirectCare advocacy campaign!
The success of the #bFair2DirectCare Coalition's "300 Days to Better Pay" campaign depends on your help this fall.
 NYSARC's community of families, staff, volunteers, and program participants is more than 100,000 strong and we need to speak up so all of our voices are heard. The Governor and State Legislature need to make this issue a priority and they need to hear why they must act from thousands of New Yorkers.
The Coalition has assembled a #bFair2DirectCare Toolkit containing sample letters to the editor and Gov. Cuomo, social media tips, message points for visiting with your local legislator, and other helpful documents. We ask that you participate in several ways between now and the end of October. To view a letter with further details on these suggested ideas and deadlines, please
click here
. To view the Toolkit, please
click here
.
Thank you for your support of this important grassroots advocacy effort.
|
|
Western NY parents file lawsuit against Gov., OPWDD
A group of Western New York parents and caregivers filed a class-action lawsuit Sept. 13, accusing Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's administration of failing to provide enough residential service opportunities for people with developmental and other disabilities.
More than 11,000 people statewide with developmental and other disabilities remain on a waiting list because the state has not developed and approved enough group homes for all those who need placement, the lawsuit claims.
That number includes at least 2,000 adults in Western New York who are eligible to be placed in group homes, Buffalo attorney Bruce A. Goldstein said. Many of these adults and their aging caregivers have been waiting for years, according to Goldstein.
|
|
The Arc advocates for federal family caregivers bill
More than 65 million Americans provide care for a loved one who has a disability, is chronically ill, or is elderly and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care. The Arc is advocating for people to contact their Representative in support of bills in Congress that would help family caregivers. The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act (S. 1719/H.R. 3099) would create a national strategy to support family caregivers. The Senate passed its bill in December 2015. Now The Arc urges people to advocate to get the bill through the House of Representatives before the close of this 114th Congress.
To learn how you can Take Action, please click here.
|
|
NYSARC opens registration for Fall Meeting Oct. 20-22
The 2016 NYSARC, Inc. Fall Meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Hilton Albany, 40 Lodge Street, Albany.
This year's keynote speaker will be author and disability policy expert H.R.
|
|
 |
|
H.R. "Rud" Turnbull
|
|
"Rud" Turnbull. A native New Yorker, Turnbull is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Special Education at the University of Kansas. With his wife Ann, also a Distinguished Professor, he co-founded the Beach Center on Disability, specializing in disability and family issues facing people affected by intellectual and emotional disabilities. He and his wife have authored 350 books and articles on disability policy. Their son Jay was born in 1967 with an intellectual disability and autism. He died unexpectedly in 2009. Turnbull was national director and secretary of the National Arc for three years and has been a member of its advocacy and policy committee since 1982.
To register for the Fall Meeting, please
click here.
|
|
Kemmer to lead Provider Association Meetings
John Kemmer, Associate Executive Director for Program Services, has been selected to lead a group of Provider Association representatives that advises the Office For People With Developmental Disabilities. In this capacity, Kemmer will coordinate provider conference
|
|
|
John Kemmer, Associate Executive Director for Program Services, NYSARC
|
calls to generate concerns and suggest agenda items prior to monthly meetings with
OPWDD leadership in Albany. The Provider Association represents more than 700 nonprofit providers who provide supports to individuals with developmental disabilities statewide.
He brings nearly four decades of developmental disability experience to the role, starting as a primary school instructor at Clinton County Chapter, NYSARC, in 1977. He served as Executive Director at Warren, Washington Counties ARC from 1980 to 1984. With NYSARC since 1984, he expertly advises State Office and Chapter leadership on issues impacting the field, including program operations and rate rationalization.
On being named to lead the Association, Kemmer said, "I like working with my colleagues and together we try to represent a united front. I look forward to working with OPWDD on issues affecting our field before they become final."
He replaces Peter Pierri, who recently retired as Executive Director with the InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Inc.
|
|
SullivanArc crowdfunds all-terrain wheelchair
SullivanArc (Sullivan County Chapter, NYSARC) recently purchased an Action Track all-terrain wheelchair, with the purchase supplemented by one of the newest trends in the fund development field.
|
|
|
Vince Sanborn supervises Jimmy Denault riding in SullivanArc's new all-terrain wheelchair.
|
The chair serves as a means of recreational transportation for people with developmental disabilities who are reliant on wheelchairs. The all-terrain wheelchair is motorized with special treads that will allow it to leave sidewalks and paved surfaces when outdoors. It will enable people to travel on grass, gravel, dirt, sand, mud, mulch, and even snow.
People in wheelchairs, whether motorized or hand operated, have long been unable to move beyond firm ground. This will open up an entire new world to them by giving them a chance to explore the outdoors, or join their friends and family on picnics, at the beach, on simple hiking trails, bird-watching, fishing, or any number of outdoor activities. Some people will be able to operate the wheelchair themselves, with continuous supervision, while others will be entirely operated by an attendant who has remote control capabilities.
SullivanArc raised 40 percent of the funds online through crowdfunding website GoFundMe and through donations. The other 60 percent of the $10,000 price tag was funded by the SullivanArc Foundation.
For more information on the campaign, please
click here.
|
|
Dutchess County exec creates special needs position
|
|
|
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announces the appointment of Toni-Marie Ciarfella as the new Deputy Commissioner for Special Needs during a ceremony held Sept. 13 at The Arc of Dutchess' LaGrange Vocational Center.
|
A Dutchess County executive recently announced a newly created county government position that will advocate for people with special needs and their families, a position believed to be the first of its kind for New York state.
During a ceremony held Sept. 13 at The Arc of Dutchess' LaGrange Vocational Center, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announced the appointment of Toni-Marie Ciarfella as the new Deputy Commissioner for Special Needs. In 2015, Molinaro launched his Think Differently initiative, which seeks to change the way individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities relate to neighbors with special needs. Ciarfella was among nearly 60 applicants for the position.
Ciarfella most recently served as Director for Field Education for the Bachelor of Social Work program at Marist College. She is earning her Ph.D. from the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany. In 1989, she began a tenure that spanned more than 20 years with the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, or Taconic DDSO.
|
|
Resource Center hosts Step Up for Autism Sept. 24
The Resource Center (Chautauqua County Chapter, NYSARC) will host the seventh annual Step Up for Autism celebration on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the agency's administrative office building at 200 Dunham Avenue in Celoron, NY.
Activities include a 1.5-mile walk, games, face painting, a fire truck, bounce houses, and an identification and fingerprinting program for children and for adults with special needs, a Chinese auction, a sweets auction featuring cakes and other goodies donated by area businesses, and a hot dog lunch.
Registration and check-in begin at 8:30 am, with the walk scheduled to start at 10:30 am. The sweets auction and drawing of auction prizes will begin at noon. The entire event should be finished by 1 pm.
People are encouraged to put together walking teams of family members, friends, and co-workers. To assemble a team, please click here. The encouraged entry fee for the walk is $20 per person.
In addition to the walk, there also will be a Loop the Lake motorcycle dice run, beginning at 9:30 am. Riders will enjoy a trip through scenic Chautauqua County. The cost is $20 per driver and $30 for those with a rider. After the dice run, participants are invited to enjoy the event festivities.
|
|
A Taste of Rockland culinary event set for Sept. 28
 ARC of Rockland announces its 21st annual culinary extravaganza, A Taste of Rockland, will be held Monday, Sept. 26 at the Hilton Pearl River, 500 Veterans Memorial Drive, Pearl River, NY. The event will feature cuisine, fine wine, and spirits from more than 40 of the area's top restaurants and beverage purveyors plus a lavish Dessert Showcase, a spectacular Silent Auction, and the fundraiser's brand new Bacaradi-After-Hours Lounge in the Normandy Room. The cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m.
For information or to place reservations, please call 845-267-2500 ext. 3118 or
click here
.
|
|
Ontario ARC to host Aging Symposium Sept. 29
 Ontario ARC's Aging Symposium, "Aging Independent, Not Alone," will be held Thursday, Sept. 29, with returning keynote speaker Laura Robinson, MPH, University of Rochester Medical Center.
The event will occur from 8 am to 3 pm at Ontario ARC's main facility, located at 3071 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua, NY. The cost to attend the Aging Symposium is $60 and includes a light breakfast and lunch. Registration is due by Friday, Sept. 23. For a complete list of topics and speakers or to register, please click here.
|
|
UAlbany's Center for Autism conference set for Oct. 21
The University at Albany's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities announces its 15th annual Autism Conference on Friday, Oct. 21 from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY. This year's theme is "Taking the Extra Steps: Using Evidence-Based Practice to Teach Pivotal Skills to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders," with keynote speakers Lauren Kenworthy, Ph.D., and Laura Anthony, Ph.D.
The conference is intended for school personnel, including general and special education teachers, school administrators, social workers, and school psychologists; speech-language pathologists; related service providers; paraprofessionals; community professionals; and parents and family members who work with individuals on the autism spectrum. Cost for New York residents is $65 before Friday, Oct. 7; $80 after that date. Out-of-state residents, $90; $105 after Oct. 7. Registration includes breakfast and lunch. Continuing education credits are available. For more information or to register, please
click here
.
|
|
Arc of Westchester postpones Bike Rodeo 2016
Due to scheduling conflicts, Arc of Westchester has postponed Bike Rodeo 2016, previously set for Sunday, Sept. 18 at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle, NY. Organizers will reschedule the event sometime in spring 2017.
|
|
TV series starring cast with disabilities earns Emmy
For the first time ever, a TV series starring a cast with disabilities has won an Emmy Award. "Born This Way," which is in its second season on A&E, won for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Series beating out five other series. The critically acclaimed series is an unscripted reality show that follows a group of seven young adults with Down syndrome along with their family and friends in Southern California. The series focuses on showing their everyday lives, including employment, efforts for independent housing, loves and more, breaking down stigmas surrounding disability. To read more, please click here.
|
|
|
