Volume #20 – Issue #10
LEADING THE WAY
The CP of NYS Annual Conference will be held at the Hilton Albany Hotel in downtown Albany October 20-22. The CP of NYS Annual Conference provides an opportunity for staff, volunteers, consumers and their families to exchange ideas, learn new skills, and view new technologies affecting the lives of people with disabilities. This year’s Conference will again feature nationally known figures in areas including compliance, education, technology, guardianship, development and public relations, health care and more.
Some very interesting sessions include:
- Honorable Kerry Delaney, Acting Commissioner of the NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), will give an update on activities thus far and highlight plans for the future for people with disabilities.;
- A presentation by Jeffrey J. Sherrin, Esq., O’Connell & Aronowitz, on the New York State Justice Center and Affiliate Liability;
- Kate Bishop, OPWDD, will discuss OPWDD’S Coordinated Assessment System (CAS);
- An update on Rate Rationalization from James Moran of CP of NYS;
- A Waiver Update from Kate Marlay of OPWDD;
- Robert Hussar, Esq., Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, will discuss Compliance Programs and internal investigations;
- Veronica Fitzgerald, consultant, author of The Pink Kayak: Adventures in Fund¬raising and Development, will conduct a session on taking annual donors to the next level; and
- Gary Goldstein, DDS, Taskforce on Special Care Dentistry, will participate on a panel on providing dental services for people with developmental disabilities.
Additional Events
On Monday evening we invite you to join us at the CP of NYS Annual Awards Dinner to honor individu¬als and organizations for their dedication to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
On Tuesday evening we celebrate the contributions of Affiliate staff who work hard every day to make a positive influence on the lives of people with disabilities at the Staff Recognition Dinner. There will also be networking sessions and special interest meetings in addition to time to unwind and visit with colleagues from around the state.
STEVE KROLL NAMED TO REPLACE MARC BRANDT AT NYSARC
Steve Kroll has been named Executive Director of NYSARC, Inc. and will begin his new duties early next year. He replaces Marc Brandt, who has led the organization for more than three decades. Mr. Kroll will be moving to NYSARC after nearly 20 years at the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS). While at HANYS, Mr. Kroll provided leadership in the areas of policy, advocacy and with the organization’s Political Action Committee. He will continue in his current role until the end of the year.
ENABLE AND TRANSITIONAL LIVING SERVICES ARE NOW ACCESSCNY
As of September 8, CP of NYS Affiliate Enable and Transitional Living Services (TLS) are now AccessCNY. The name is in anticipation of a full and legal merger in January 2015. The new name expresses the agency’s mission to provide supports and opportunities to Central New Yorkers with physical and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and mental health issues.
“We’re excited to introduce the name to the community,” said Prudence York, Executive Director of AccessCNY. “The name AccessCNY represents the philosophy and mindset the agencies have been operating under for decades: to help people with disabilities live, work and thrive in our shared community. For the past several months, staff have been working tirelessly to bring the best of both agencies together.” The two agencies have served the area for over 100 years.
OPWDD CRISIS RESPONSE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM ROLLING OUT
NY START provides crisis prevention and response services to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs, their families and those who provide support. It has been launched in 17 western counties and will begin operation in the Capital District, Hudson Valley and Taconic regions this fall.
For more information, visit the OPWDD website at the link below.
http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/ny-start/home
NEW EQUIPMENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM AIMS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
The New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, TRAID Program, has a new Equipment Exchange Program intended to improve access to devices for Individuals with Disabilities.
TRAID and the New England Exchange Program have created getATstuff, an Assistive Technology Exchange in New England and New York. getATstuff is an electronic matching program that helps connect individuals who need assistive technology devices with people interested in selling or donating devices. This new program will take the place of the former TRAID IN Equipment Exchange Program. As of September 8, users can log onto http://www.getatstuff.com/ and create an account to request equipment or list equipment for sale or donation.
For more information about the getATstuff program, please call Colleen Scott at 1-800-624-4143 or 518-549-0350.