FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 17, 2013

Assembly Restores Essential Funding For OPWDD Non-Profit Service Providers
Measure Would Provide up to $90 Million to Ensure Direct Care Services Are Not Compromised


Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg today announced the approval of legislation that would restore funding cuts to the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for non-profit service providers and address the severe reduction of federal funds without undermining the care provided to New Yorkers in need of OPWDD's services.

"Earlier this year, the Assembly made a commitment to examine ways to address the funding cuts associated with OPWDD non-profit service providers," said Silver. "Through the approval of this bill we are acting on that promise. Individuals with disabilities rely on others for their ongoing health and safety. It is our job to ensure that the care provided by these facilities is not compromised because of funding cuts. I commend Assemblyman Weisenberg for his unwavering advocacy on behalf of New York's disabled community and for sponsoring this important piece of legislation."

To ensure that direct care services are not compromised, the legislation approved today (A.6692-C/Weisenberg) would provide up to $90 million to fully restore funding for OPWDD providers.

"The restoration of this funding could not have been achieved without the steadfast support of my colleagues and leadership in the Assembly and Senate, who stood together in unity to speak for some of our state's most vulnerable citizens," said Weisenberg. "The Governor, his staff and budget director were vital in helping me find the right mechanism to restore the funding, and the agencies and parent groups that represent the people served through these programs were tireless in their fight to restore funding."

Silver and Weisenberg noted that earlier this year, in order to alleviate a $1.1 billion reduction in federal funds, the executive's budget proposed a $120 million funding cut to OPWDD non-profit service providers. The Assembly's budget proposal restored the full amount of the proposed cut. The final agreement restored $30 million and established a workgroup of families and providers to mitigate the resulting 4.5 percent cut totaling $90 million.

Mental Health Committee Chair Aileen Gunther said, "This restoration is critically important to our non-profit providers. Every day, they go above and beyond to provide comfort, care, and a sense of purpose to our developmentally disabled friends and neighbors, as well as their families. I'm proud to stand by Assemblyman Weisenberg and countless advocates to pass this legislation."

Executive Director of NYSARC Marc Brandt said, "NYSARC conveys its heartfelt thanks to Governor Cuomo, Speaker Silver, Majority Leaders Skelos and Klein, Assemblyman Weisenberg, Senator Golden and so many other members of the Legislature who listened to people with developmental disabilities and their families from one end of this state to the other. This bill is a tribute to them and to New York State. We are profoundly grateful for their compassion and sensitivity."

Executive Director of the InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, Inc. Peter Pierri said, "We are extremely pleased that the Assembly has expressed such strong support for people with developmental disabilities and their families and are grateful to Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg for leading the effort. The citizens of New York should be proud and thankful that NYS Government has taken this step."

President and CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Association of New York State Susan Constantino said, "We are grateful to Speaker Silver, Assemblymember Weisenberg and everyone in the New York State Legislature who recognize that supports and services for people with developmental disabilities must not be dismantled through continued annual funding cuts."

Managing Director of Government and External Relations at UJA-Federation of New York Ronald Soloway said, "We commend the State Assembly for leading negotiations with Governor Cuomo to ensure that funds will be available to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. With this agreement, efforts to improve and re-design services to this population can continue with an important financial issue resolved."

President of the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York and Chief Operating Officer of People Inc. Rhonda Frederick said, "This bill will help to ensure people with developmental disabilities are spared cutbacks in the services and supports they are currently receiving. This bill is a positive development and a recognition of the high priority the state places on caring for its most vulnerable citizens. We applaud the Assembly on the passage of this legislation."

Coordinator of the Alliance of Long Island Agencies, Inc. Margaret Raustiala said, "The Assembly, led by Assemblymember Harvey Weisenberg, steadfastly fought to ensure that the $90 million cut to funding for voluntary operated programs serving people with developmental disabilities would not result in the loss of services. As both the coordinator of the Alliance of Long Island Agencies, Inc. and the parent of Riko a 43 year old man with autism, the passage of this bill is cause for celebration."

Edie Hall, parent of a son with severe developmental and intellectual disabilities said, "For 20 years our agency, the ARC of Rensselaer County, has used person centered planning to implement supports that are innovative, individualized, and self-directed and fiscally responsible. Full restoration will allow the program to continue providing the excellent services our son so desperately needs. I appreciate and thank the legislature and the Governor for supporting this bill."