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February 12, 2021
The Arc New York Advocacy Against Budget Cuts
Governor Cuomo released his Executive Budget last month, which included cuts to supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). All told, the cuts add up to hundreds of millions of dollars!
The Arc New York is advocating 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 for statutory guarantees that all proposed cuts will be eliminated should New York receive the requested $15B in federal aid.
Online Advocacy Campaign
The Arc New York launched a grassroots advocacy campaign against these cuts and other actions affecting people with I/DD, families, and the providers who support them. To add your voice to this important call, follow this link, and provide your contact information to send customized letters directly to your representatives.
It is vital for legislators know where we stand and it is our duty to inform them. We must hold our legislators accountable for what happens within state government. Please take a few minutes to share your story and convey the impact of these cuts.
Joint Legislative Budget Hearing
Last week, The Arc New York's submitted testimony to the Joint Legislative Budget Committees detailing the financial crisis faced by providers of I/DD supports and services, including an estimated $327.6 million in pandemic-related 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 cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an estimated $513 million price tag. You can view the full hearing here.
Executive Budget Advocacy Materials
A selection of background materials on the Executive Budget can be found below to help inform your advocacy. These include The Arc New York's budget testimony, and informational sheets developed in partnership with New York Disability Advocates (NYDA).
We will continue to update you on matters concerning the budget as well as opportunities to join with us in advocacy efforts.
Joint Legislative Policy & Advocacy Forum
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2021 Joint Legislative Advocacy and Policy Forum held this past week from February 9-11. Over 350 people registered and attended forum events, which consisted of experts and advocates sharing knowledge, expertise, stories, and solutions. To view position papers, presentations, and speakers, visit the Forum landing page. We will update the page and share the recorded presentations as they become available.
Virtual Rally The Forum ended with a virtual rally, attended by nearly 500 people on Zoom and Facebook. It now has over 2,500 views online and continues to grow! We were joined by our allies in the legislature, DSPs, self-advocates, family members, and service providers. Our message to legislators is to make us a PRIORITY: 
Prioritize people with I/DD
Raise Wages for DSPs
Immunize People with Disabilities & Staff
Object to Rate Reductions for Providers
Restore the COLA
Implement a Moratorium on All I/DD Cuts
Target Investments in Workforce Development
Yes to Saving Our Services
You can view the rally here, and share on social media with your friends and family to help spread our message!
NPR Coverage of Pandemic Risk and Response for People with I/DD Earlier today, NPR Released a story "People With Intellectual Disabilities Are Often Overlooked In Pandemic Response," outlining the risks of COVID-19 for people with I/DD, and the lack of data and equitable inclusion in the national pandemic response. The story features an interview with The Arc of the US, and recognizes New York as one of the few states that has prioritized people with I/DD for vaccination. This success for New Yorkers with I/DD is due, in large part, to the robust advocacy efforts and statewide data collection that have been undertaken by The Arc New York and New York Disability Advocates.
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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