Since the early 1950’s, our grassroots advocacy is the foundation of our agency. Our founding parents wanted to create a rightful place in society for their children, develop educational opportunities, increase physical, verbal, communication and daily living skills and promote better personal and social opportunities. They realized their children deserved to have a fair chance to succeed in life.
As a result of their efforts, children with developmental disabilities were able to go to school, adults were moved out of institutions and people were employed in community positions.
Due to their grassroots action and those by NYSARC, New York led the United States in establishing the rights of children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Legislative Advocacy
Family members, friends, volunteers, staff and self advocates were unwilling to rest until they succeeded in making real change. They realized that true progress was linked to the passage of key federal and state legislative mandates. Thanks to their relentless, hardworking efforts, the people we serve are now able to conquer everyday challenges and achieve their dreams by working, learning, socializing, volunteering, recreating and leading full, productive lives. Consequently, they are being accepted and integrated throughout their communities.
Currently the purpose of Legislative Advocacy is to provide, educate and inform family members, advocates, staff members and the community of impending local, state and federal legislative issues that affect the lives of individuals, families and the agency itself. Our hope is to quickly disseminate information and raise awareness to all of our stakeholders.
Read about the end of 2016 Legislative Session Summary
Click on any of these — archived NYSARC “Politics as it Happens”
Carl Heastie is elected Speaker of New York State Assembly
Cuomo’s State of the State features Opportunity Agenda
DRNY files complaint against Justice Center
NY Times story reveals challenge of at home care
12-4-14 Meeting With Governor Cuomo’s Staff
Lawmakers Poised To Vote On ABLE Act
Advocates Dismayed Over Vetoes
Advocates Eye Expanding State Budget Surplus
Weisenberg urges Governor to sign Front Door Bill
Critical bills before the Governor
Editorial Comments on Transparency in Governor’s Office
Governor tightly controls public information
Another Disallowance: Feds Want $23 million Back from NYS for Supported Employment
Right to out of State care, controversial school highlighted
Buffalo News: BlueCross, BlueShield Withdraws from Medicaid Managed Care Program in Western NY
Obama signs law limiting sheltered workshop admissions
Letter to the Editor: Brandt Responds to Subminimum Wage/Sheltered Workshop Article
New York Times Reports on Lawsuit Against the State: Managed Care Warning Sign?
Disability Protesters Shut Down Assembly (video)
Critical Bills Before The Legislature
Assemblyman Weisenberg will not seek re-election
House Republicans call to stop “Superwaiver approval”, Mental Hygiene Budget Hearings, Issa Letter
Institutional Rate Controversy Still an Issue
Summary of Key Highlights in Governor’s Budget for People with Developmental Disabilities
Governor’s Budget Released. Many Details Outstanding. Preliminary Overview. More to Follow.
Kansas Considered Medicaid Managed Care “Bellwether”
Last Year’s Budget Fight Continues to Resonate
Marc Brandt Comments on Meeting with the Justice Center
Governor Cuomo’s 2014 State of the State
Another Editorial Against Budget Cuts/On-line Petition Against Budget Cuts
More Commentary Against Budget Cuts: A Promise at Risk of Being Broken
Governor Suggests Surplus, No Spending Cuts in Upcoming State Budget
New York Nonprofit Press: Comprehensive Story on “Rocky Start” for the Justice Center
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Publishes Editorial Against Any More OPWDD Budget Cuts
Rochester Station Features Background Check Issue at Monroe Arc
Two Bills Signed by Governor Cuomo
Sheltered Workshop changes and concerns
State Employee Unions to fight prison, MH Center, developmental center closures
Saturday’s Daily News Editorial Blasts CSEA on Abuse
Senator Libous launches online petition to prevent developmental center closure
Mass Duals project slows, Insurers balk at risk
State to Close Four Remaining Developmental Centers
Justice Center Opens for Business
End of Session Legislative Wrap-Up – session concluded June 21
Various Articles on Passage of Restoration Bill
A Deal has been reached between the Govenor and Legislature on the Restoration Bill
Restoration and Reinvestment Act Gets Contentious
142 cosponsors for “People with Developmental Disabilities Restoration and Reinvestment Act of 2013”
Coalition holds meetings on restoration legislation
NYSARC Meets with CMS Medicaid Director
Uniform Guardianship Act Passes Both Houses: Part of NYSARC’s Legislative Platform
Controversy over Medicaid Managed Long Term Care grows
Full Restoration Bill is introduced
FY 13-14 State Budget: Advocates fundamentally change Managed Care Law
$1.75 billion in extra State money? Officials scratch heads. Details not clear.
State Budget Director – Cuts to disabled programs will not affect services
Medicaid rates for DCs drop from $5100 to $1200
NY Post: GOP cites reasons for “slide” in Governor’s poll numbers
The Governor is dug in on the 6%
$200 million more in revenue according to consensus revenue estimate
Commissioner Burke fields tough questions on 6% — providers fear layoffs and closures
Commissioner’s briefing – 6% across the board cuts for ALL OPWDD voluntary programs!
House Oversight Committee recommends more auditing; praises Governor; cites ineffective OMIG
21 day Amendments out and show no cuts – however, there could be 30 day Amendments
House Oversight Committee posts final report
Federal payback issue looms big over developmental centers rate controversy
Furor over rate controversy may expand
Preliminary Budget highlights for services for people with developmental disabilities
Wall Street Journal – State, Feds negotiating payback terms for institutional rate settlement
New Committee Chairs appointed in Assembly and Senate
NYSARC Summary of Legislative Platform
NYSARC Position Statements
Take Action! Visit the New York State Legislative Action Center to learn about and get involved with state and national inititives. Start your journey here.