Politics As It Happens: Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law (Full Opinion Available for Download); Statement from National Arc Expected (UPDATED: Statement from The Arc)

UPDATE: The Arc released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act. The Arc Reacts to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision on the Affordable Care Act ”People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been waiting for generations for the insurance reforms put in place by the [...]

Categories: Legislative/Governmental , Politics As It Happens

Politics As It Happens: Western New York “Early Alert” Agency to “Voluntarily Surrender Five Residential Programs” To Become a “Lean Human Services Agency that Provides Exemplary Care”

“Baker Victory Services is voluntarily surrendering five residential sites for individuals with developmental disabilities. The nonprofit organization began notifying staff and client families Tuesday it would downsize its programs in cooperation with the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Plans call for a phased transition, with the agency surrendering the sites to other agencies. [...]

Categories: Legislative/Governmental , Politics As It Happens

From the Executive Director: Reflections on the Passage of the Justice Center

The field of developmental disabilities has been in the spotlight for nearly two years now. Almost all of the publicity to date has been negative. While much has been exaggerated and distorted, once in the spotlight, for better or worse, it is very difficult to get out. During this legislative session the attention came as [...]

Categories: From the Executive Director , Legislative/Governmental

Politics As It Happens: Justice Center Bill Dominates Legislative Session

The Governor’s legislation creating a Justice Center for the protection of vulnerable populations dominated the legislative session which ended last Friday night. The bill was the Governor’s top priority for the legislative session. Its passage by both houses marked another big accomplishment for the Cuomo Administration. Almost none of the many other bills impacting people [...]

Categories: Legislative/Governmental , Politics As It Happens

Politics As It Happens: Today’s Albany Times Union Commentary – Clarence Sundram Asserts that Creation of the Justice Center Makes New York the Leader in Protecting People with Disabilities

From the Albany Times Union: “When Gov. Andrew Cuomo took office in 2011, he inherited a human services system riddled with problems. The people the state was charged with looking after — individuals with developmental disabilities, special needs and other vulnerabilities — were far too often facing abuse and mistreatment at the hands of the very workers [...]

Categories: Legislative/Governmental , Politics As It Happens

Politics As It Happens: Statement from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Passage of Legislation to Protect People with Special Needs and Disabilities

Governor Cuomo issued a statement on final passage of the legislation to Protect People with Special Needs. The bill creates the Justice Center. The Assembly completed action last night on the huge bill which was the highlight of the legislative session. The session is likely to conclude today or tomorrow. “For too many years, we have heard [...]

Categories: Legislative/Governmental , Politics As It Happens

Politics As It Happens: Governor Cuomo and Legislative Leaders Announce Agreement on Legislation to Protect People with Special Needs and Disabilities (UPDATED)

“Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced an agreement on legislation that will establish the strongest standards and practices in the nation for protecting people with special needs and disabilities. The legislation creates a new Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, an [...]

Categories: Legislative/Governmental , Politics As It Happens

Politics As It Happens: Update on Governor’s Justice Center Legislation

The Governor’s “Protection for People with Special Needs Act” continues to be the top legislative priority for the Governor heading into the end of the session. The session is scheduled to conclude on or around June 21. NYSARC strongly supports the bill. The State Senate has passed it, but the Assembly has yet to introduce [...]

Categories: Legislative/Governmental , Politics As It Happens

NYSARC