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February 5, 2021
The Arc New York Budget Testimony and NYDA Advocacy Materials
The Arc New York submitted written testimony into the record of the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2021 Executive Budget Proposal, which convenes today, February 5. You can view the hearing live here. A recording of the hearing will also be made available.
The Arc New York was prepared to deliver oral testimony. However, the schedule of this year's hearing was consolidated due to the virtual format. New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) was selected to deliver testimony on behalf of all seven member agencies, including The Arc New York. The Senate Finance committee is setting up separate meetings later this month to hear from individual agencies, during which The Arc New York will more fully detail the points of our testimony.
The Arc New York's budget testimony details the financial crisis faced by providers of I/DD supports and services - an estimated $327.6 million in provider program revenue loss in 2020 alone and an estimated loss of $5 billion to the system over the past decade. The testimony goes on to detail the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has cost providers an estimated $513 million.
The Arc New York calls for the rejection of a $60M 1% targeted cut by OPWDD, restoration of the deferred $89.7M cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), support for enhanced pandemic pay for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and statutory guarantees that all cuts will be reversed should the requested $15 in federal aid be provided to the state. We will continue to update you on matters concerning the budget as well as opportunities to join with us in advocacy efforts.
Registration Now Open for Joint Legislative Policy and Advocacy Forum
Held by The Arc New York and The New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation February 9, 10, & 11 
The Arc New York and The NY Alliance Joint Legislative & Advocacy Forum provides access to information on the 2021-22 Executive Budget proposal, upcoming legislation, advocacy strategies, and opportunities to engage leadership in the Senate and Assembly. Parents and family members, self-advocates, direct support professionals, not-for-profit agencies and other stakeholders will hear from presenters across a wide range of timely topics, reflecting the importance for us to be a strong voice in Albany this year and beyond. The forum is free to attend and participants will be able to enjoy the benefits of our program without driving to the NYS Capitol!
While we would much rather gather together, we will be able to meet using a virtual format, which can be viewed via any internet connected devices with a web browser. So, charge your laptops, tablets, and phones and join us for this excellent event.
Participants can expect to:
- Receive an overview of the 2021-22 Executive Budget Proposal for OPWDD
- Meet the Chairs of the Senate and Assembly Committees on Disabilities and Mental Health
- Gain insight into the I/DD sector's legislative & budget priorities
- Understand how to communicate your advocacy message effectively
Presentation dates and time blocks are below:
- Tuesday, February 9 from 1 - 3 PM
- Wednesday, February 10 from 11 AM - 3 PM
- Thursday, February 11 from 9:30 AM - 1 PM
- Virtual Rally, February 11, 1:15 PM
Virtual Rally
The forum will culminate in a virtual rally on February 11 at 1:15 PM, calling on state leaders to Make Us a PRIORITY! You can join the zoom rally here.
Meeting ID: 959 3105 4430
Passcode: NYDA1
Virtual Appointments with Assemblymembers and Senators
We strongly encourage you to schedule virtual appointments with your Assembly and Senate representatives after the virtual rally on February 11 or on February 12, as legislators will be in their own district offices at that time.
There is no cost to attend the forum, and all are invited to attend. Register online here.
Biden Administration Extends Pandemic Health Emergency and Funding
In a letter to state Governors on Jan. 22, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that the pandemic-related federal public health emergency "will likely remain in place for the entirety of 2021." The letter goes on to state, "...the available temporary 6.2 percentage point increase in the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Pub. L. 116-127) expires at the end of the quarter in which the PHE ends. With the extension and additional advance notice, we seek to provide you with increased budgetary stability and predictability during this challenging time."
New York state can expect to receive an additional $2 billion through the increased FMAP for the 2021 calendar year. Should the order be extended further into 2022, an additional $1 billion would be received. This is on top of what was predicted in the governor's financial plan. As of yet, we are unsure whether Gov. Cuomo would consider the $2-3 billion influx as a down-payment on the requested $15 billion in federal aid.
Opportunity to Present at the 2021 NCE Summer Leadership Institute
The NCE Summer Leadership Institute, hosted by The Arc and the National Conference of Executives (NCE) of The Arc, is seeking presentation proposals for the 2021 SLI, which will be held in in Chicago July 12-14. This a two-and-a-half-day event unites executives, leaders, and professionals from across the disability sector in pursuit of a shared mission. You do not have to be an NCE member to submit a proposal, so start thinking about what you can share with our national network!
Are you working on an innovative program in your community that you think can be replicable across the country? Do you have a best practice to share? Have you heard a wonderful presentation that you think your peers would benefit from hearing? Are you working with a partner who is demonstrating some next level thinking on an issue? Or do you think it's time we sat down and had a serious discussion on what's next for the I/DD community in times of pandemic?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should highly consider submitting a proposal. Submit your proposal here by February 26 to have your presentation considered for inclusion. You can learn more about the SLI here.
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This email was sent to:
- Board of Governors
- Chapter Presidents
- Chapter Board Members
- Executive Directors
- Chief Operating Officers
- Chief Financial Officers
- HR Directors
- PR Directors
- Quality & Compliance Staff
- Joint Committee on Quality & Compliance
- Trust Services and State Office Staff
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