Dear Members, families, and friends,

After a beautiful summer, it is hard to believe we are already seeing signs of fall—cooler nights, the start of a new school year, and even the beginning of changing leaves! As we transition into a new season we are excited to bring you another edition of The Connection Newsletter. This edition features information on the Parent and Family Network, the One Big Beautiful Bill and its impact on your care, and much more.

We hope this newsletter provides you clarity on the issues that matter most to you and your loved ones. Wishing you a festive fall season!

Sincerely,

Jess and Carey 

When Kim Santucci met Care Coordination Manager (CCM), Nicole Garritano, she already had a variety of services established to support her daughter, Ali. Like many families, Kim was in the midst of a year-long struggle to secure funding for a new iPad and case for Ali to use as her Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. That is when Nicole stepped in to help move the process forward.

Nicole has always had a passion for providing meaningful and compassionate support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

She experienced firsthand the challenges families often face when her parents sought services and support for her brother, who is autistic. Nicole gained more experience through internships and working as a direct support professional (DSP), and she knew she wanted to continue working with people with I/DD. When she began working at STC as a CCM in March 2025, Ali was one of the first members she began supporting....

Have a story you wish to share?

Do you have something you'd like to share with us? A story, rights, or disability-related news item you've heard. Is there something you'd like to see in the upcoming newsletters? Connect with us at the link below or send an email to info@southerntierconnect.org!

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) has made headlines since it was signed into effect by President Trump on July 4, 2025. There are still many uncertainties, but we hope to demystify what is known now about how this bill may impact you and your care.

First, it is important to understand that all of the changes are happening on a federal level. This means that state governments can respond to help lessen the impact on its citizens. While some changes are inevitable, Governor Hochul and representatives from New York State may provide additional funding or support.

In New York State, the Legislature is considering a return to special session to make up for the lost federal funds. This action may not be necessary this year because the Legislature has granted Governor Hochul’s budget director the authority to make changes to the state budget adopted in May without holding a special legislative session. The state budget director can make changes that would compensate for the loss of federal aid that will be effective in 2025. However, the next state budget, due by April 1, 2026, will need to compensate for significantly more federal aid cuts scheduled in the coming years. Governor Hochul has made it clear—New York State cannot fill in the gaps caused by the OBBB.

Upcoming events and opportunities!



• October 11^th - Miles for a Mission 5k: Monster Dash & Fall Festival (Binghamton, New York)
• November 9^th - New York City Family Fun Day: Rockettes Christmas Spectacular (New York City, New York)
• December 6^th -Unlock the Magic Fundraiser (Johnson City, New York)

Information for these events will be sent via email. Make sure your contact information is up to date!

Learn more about Parent & Family Network Chapters below.

Did you know that one of the best ways to stay healthy and happy is by taking care of yourself every day? This is called self-care. Self-care doesn’t have to be hard or take a lot of time. It simply means paying attention to what your body and mind need so you can feel your best.

Sometimes, people think self-care means only doing fun activities, like listening to music or playing a game. Those things are important, but self-care also includes the necessary tasks that keep you healthy—even if they aren’t always your favorite. Going to the doctor for regular check-ups, taking your medicine, eating healthy foods, or talking to a therapist if you’re struggling with your feelings are all ways to practice self-care, too. These steps might feel like chores at times, but they are just as important as doing the things you enjoy, because they help you stay strong and feel your best.

Here are some easy ideas you can try:

• Rest well: Aim for a regular bedtime so you wake up feeling refreshed.
• Eat and drink smart: Choose foods that give you energy and don’t forget to drink water throughout the day.
• Move your body: Go for a walk, stretch, dance to your favorite song, or play outside—it all counts!
• Take breaks: It’s okay to pause when you need a little quiet time. Even a few minutes can help.
• Connect with people you trust: Talking with friends, family, or staff can help you feel supported.
• Do what makes you smile: Maybe it’s listening to music, drawing, gardening, or playing a game—make time for activities that make you happy.
• Don’t skip the basics: Remember that doctor visits, therapy sessions, and taking medicine as prescribed are all important parts of self-care, too.

Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s a way to show yourself kindness. By taking care of both the fun and the necessary parts of your health, you’ll have more energy and joy to share with the people around you. Even the smallest steps can make every day feel a little brighter.

When Self-Care Feels Hard

Sometimes, taking care of yourself might feel overwhelming, and that’s okay. Here are a few reminders:

• You don’t have to do everything at once—start with one small step.
• It’s okay to ask for help if you’re not sure what to do or if you need support.
• Everyone has hard days. Being kind to yourself is also a form of self-care.
• Celebrate small wins—every effort counts!

Self-Care Check-In:

Take a moment to think about your own self-care. You can even write your answers down or share them with someone you trust.

1.   What is one thing I already do that helps me take care of myself?
2. What is one new self-care activity I’d like to try this week?
3. Who can I talk to if I need help remembering to take care of myself?

Congratulations to Gavin, who won the competition to design the STC 5K Team t-shirts (pictured above).

The design will appear on the back of the t-shirt. Everyone who registers for the Springbrook 5K Miles for a Mission: Monster Dash on the STC Team will receive a t-shirt with this design.

If you have not registered yet, there is still time! Click the button below to register. Don't forget to sign-up for the STC Team and to use the code STC5k2025 (Members and staff only) that will cover your cost of registration. If you need any help, reach out to your CCM.

October 11th, 2025

Otsiningo park

Binghamton, NY

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Not interested in joining us for the 5K race? Cheer on your friends, then join in on the fun at the Fall Festival following the race! Entrance to the Fall Festival is free!

• Live music by The Jason Wicks Band
• Food Trucks
• Utica Zoomobile
• and more!

Come roller skate with your CCM! Spend an afternoon with STC and friends and family. Not interested in roller skating? Enjoy laser tag and the dance floor!

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

1:00-3:00 p.m.

Interskate 88

5185 NY-23

Oneonta, NY 13820

This event is free and open to STC Members and their friends and family.

Language Access – Know your Rights

Acceso lingüístico - Conocer sus derechos

L’accès linguistique - Connaissez vos droits

Accesso linguistico - Conoscere i tuoi diritti

语言通达 - 了解您的权利

Your Rights in 10, continues with Your Right to Language Access. You have a right to receive care, have meetings and get documents in your primary/preferred language. Visit the Southern Tier Connect website to learn more about this in commonly spoken languages: English , Spanish, French, Italian, and Chinese.  

You can watch the latest video below or click the button to access all of the videos in the series.

We are looking for someone like you to share your voice for our Your Rights in 10 series. If you are interested in reading for an episode in this series, please email us at: info@southerntierconnect.org.

We hope you enjoyed this edition of The Connection e-newsletter. Did you know that you can now read all of our past newsletters archived on our website? Please be aware that we are currently updating our archive. Stay tuned for more!

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