March is Statewide Family Advocacy Month, in  conjunction with CP of NYS and Alliance of Long Island Agencies

DON’T LET THEM FORGET US!! March is the opportunity to visit or call your legislators and make it clear to them that the people we serve have acute, unmet needs.  

Also, Friday, March 9th is Family Advocacy Call-In Day.

With only a few weeks until the State budget passes and March as federal Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, now is a particularly good time to get our message out.  Therefore, NYSARC and CP of NYS have collaborated on March as Family Advocacy Month!

Because it has become increasingly difficult to coordinate a single Statewide Family Advocacy Day and since NYSARC and CP of NYS are not doing an Albany Lobby Day, we are asking that you coordinate local events with your legislators.  To help you with this, please download NYSARC’s budget priorities for the 2012-2013 state fiscal year.

Since some chapters have already held events with their local Legislators, we are suggesting that you have families participate in the Alliance of Long Island Agencies’ Family Advocacy Call-In to local Legislators on FRIDAY, MARCH 9th (for more information, please download this flyer).  If Families can’t call in on March 9th, they can call their local Senator and Assemblymember any time during the first three weeks of March.

Because Family Advocacy events will be held throughout the State on different dates and the Governor’s OPWDD budget did not include new funding cuts, most associations decided that it was not useful to ask for additional funding as providers.  However, families, many of whom are waiting for a variety of services, must make sure that their legislators understand that there is a growing need for additional services. 

It is also critical to highlight the needs of our direct support professionals.

Families can call their local legislators about OPWDD, Early Intervention, Preschool Special Education or other priorities important to your Chapter.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BE HEARD.  WE CAN NOT LET OUR LEGISLATORS FORGET US.  They must understand that people with developmental disabilities continue to have critical unmet needs!

Please get the word out to your families ASAP!

Resources

For Assembly member contact information go to:

http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/

For Senate member contact information go to:

http://www.nysenate.gov/senators

Mark Yarwood speaks to new staff during orientation

Utica, NY – New employees of The Arc of Oneida-Lewis Chapter have the pleasure of hearing from the individuals they will be caring for as part of their new employee orientation sessions.

New staff listens to the personal histories of individuals with disabilities from a group of self-advocate speakers from The Arc who call themselves The Transformers. The name came about because they feel able to enact change. The face- to-face interaction places emphasis on how important dignity, and the need to be treated with respect, is to individuals with disabilities; how each individual is different in terms of what they want and need, and how they perceive and react to different situations.

The group began in September 2010 with individuals from Day Services, who have continued to work together with similar groups to hone their skills. Their first formal presentation was in February 2011 and they continue to present once-a-month. On October 13 and 14 the group spoke at the Direct Support Professionals  Conference, co-sponsored by the Herkimer Arc and Madison Cortland ARC held at The Arc Oneida-Lewis Training Center. Individuals express their expectations and concerns about interactions with new staff and open communication is encouraged during a question and answer period.

For these reasons NYSARC has a history we can be proud of.  It was NYSARC that established the Ombudsman, the subject of the very last New York Times story.  And it was NYSARC that advocated over the last 20 years for an independent Ombudsman for exactly the reasons cited by the latest New York Times story.  Our history is replete with other examples of accomplishments that have dramatically improved the quality of life for the people we serve, including: our suit against the State for the conditions at Willowbrook; establishment of a separate Office (OMRDD, now OPWDD); the Health Care Decisions Act and, among countless other examples, our record of achievement in the areas of trusts, guardianship, and future planning.

More recently we have partnered with the Direct Support Professional Alliance of New York State (DSPANYS) to advocate for a statewide code of ethics and credentialing process for all direct support professionals.  As a family-governed organization, NYSARC’s President, Jack Schuppenhauer, has established a Quality Standards Committee to ensure that the safety of our family members and other individuals we support is always our core commitment.  We are working with the Cuomo Administration and the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities on the 1115 Waiver and the change it promises to the entire field.

But NYSARC will never rest on its laurels.  We know from our long experience that complacency in our field is an enemy, not a friend.  The Times reminds us, once again, that our refusal to ever become complacent has served us well.  And the Times also reminds us that no matter what we think of the job we now do, we can always do it better.  That is the lesson of these sobering and serious stories.  It is a lesson that our organization has always taken to heart and acted upon.

Marc N. Brandt
Executive Director, NYSARC, Inc.

John Robinson, Founder and CEO of Our Ability, shares an inspirational story of "Overcoming Obstacles" with the audience

The 62nd Annual NYSARC, Inc. Convention officially wrapped up on Saturday morning. With almost 500 people in attendance, it was one of our biggest, and most successful, conventions ever.

Working under our Convention theme, “Advocacy in Action: Moving Forward,” speakers shared stories of struggles, perseverance, and finding success. For example, at the Media and Employer of the Year Awards Luncheon, guest speaker John Robinson, Founder and CEO of Our Ability, Inc., made us laugh and inspired us by sharing his story of “Overcoming Obstacles.”

Following two screenings and an exclusive Q&A session, the stars of Wretches and Jabberers delivered a powerful keynote, highlighted by Tracy and Larry’s message that we all have something to say.

Board of Governors and Committee meetings focused on important and critical issues for NYSARC, Inc., the field, and our future. Workshops and plenary sessions allowed attendees the opportunity to hear from some of the leading experts and raise important questions that couldn’t be answered anywhere else.

Attendees network and share ideas at the Convention

Perhaps most importantly, our decision to expand our Convention to Thursday paid dividends. By focusing on programs for direct support professionals (DSPs) and self-advocates, we created invaluable networking opportunities that never existed before. Self-advocacy groups from NYSARC and from the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region were able to get together and discuss important issues. Additionally, seminars on the Code of Ethics and End-of-Life Decision-Making for Self-Advocates provided excellent training and educational opportunities.

In the coming months, we look forward to hearing how our Chapters, staff, and advocates use the new ideas and tools that were presented at the Convention in their work. We also hope that new friends and professional contacts remain in touch and that the NYSARC family is better prepared to respond to the challenges of the future than it was before.

Convention Links

Throughout the Convention, many awards were handed out to volunteers, staff, employers, and self-advocates | View a Complete Listing of Award Winners

Outstanding Chapter Newsletters and members of the media were also recognized | View a Listing of Media and Quill Award Winners

Visit the 62nd Annual NYSARC, Inc. Convention Photo Gallery on Facebook

With this issue of Our Voice Today, I thought it would be appropriate if I shared with you our 2011 award winners. That way, when you meet these remarkable individuals at our Convention, you’ll know exactly who they are and why they deserve such recognition.

Arthur J. Stilwell | 2011 Volunteer of the Year.
Mr. Stilwell is from our Steuben County Chapter and is being recognized for his exceptional dedication to service and advocacy on the behalf of people with developmental disabilties.

Becky Ellsworth | 2011 Self-Advocate of the Year
Ms. Ellsworth is from our Chemung County Chapter and has demonstrated leadership, personal growth, and has positively influenced the lives of others.

Randi Rosenstein, Esq. | 2011 Robert Hodgson/Augustus Jacobs Law Award
Ms. Rosenstein is the Director of Legal Services and an attorney with AHRC New York City. She is being recognized for her sincere interest in, and commitment to, the area of Disability Law.

2011 Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Awards
Presented to direct support professionals who have demonstrated an exemplary level of performance over the course of their employment and who have consistently displayed a commitment to improving the quality of life for people who have intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

• Davida Moss | Chemung County Chapter | 12 Years of Caring Dedication
• Margaret Wisell | Essex County Chapter | 17 Years of Caring Dedication
• Keith Murphy | Ontario County Chapter | 20 Years of Caring Dedication
• Drew Eibach | Nassau County Chapter | 30 Years of Caring Dedication

2011 Employer of the Year Awards
Presented to New York State corporations or businesses that have shown incredible commitment and support in providing job opportunities for people who have intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

• Price Chopper | Northeast Region
• Ultrafab, Inc. | Western Region
• Sodexo | Central Region

Finally, we’ll be recognizing members of the media who have helped raise awareness through communication with our 2011 Media Awards and honoring NYSARC Chapters who have produced outstanding newsletters throughout the year with our 2011 Quill Awards. (View the complete list of Media and Quill Awards Winners)

Please, I encourage all of you to come to the Convention, meet these accomplished individuals, and share in the celebration of their success. If you haven’t registered, it’s not too late: Register now for the convention!

Marc Brandt
Executive Director, NYSARC, Inc.

The Herkimer ARC employs 209 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), who work within the agency’s Day Program, Family and Community Support, Sheltered Workshop, Residential Services, and Transportation. Recognition activities included presentations of gift certificates to local businesses and a cake at each work site.

“We have some of the most dedicated direct care workers, who provide tremendous services to the people we support each day,” said Kevin Crosley, Herkimer ARC’s president/CEO. “I continually hear  stories of how our employees make a difference in the lives of the individuals we support. As the New York State Fair came to an end this year, it reminded me of two of our DSPs, Missy Douglas and Cindy Dodson, who worked after school with a young man to help him learn to respond to potential medical emergencies. Kyle was at the state fair with his family, when his father became ill due to heat issues. Our DSPs worked with Kyle to teach him how to keep calm in an emergency and to seek out help or call 911. Kyle did just that and his quick response helped his father to get immediate, live-saving care. Today, Dad and son are together, and Kyle is both proud and confident in responding to his Dad’s needs. We are proud too,” Crosley added.

Crosley continued, “Individuals who need vital and meaningful support are more likely to live enriched lives if they have well-trained, experienced, and motivated professionals at their side. Our DSPs help our folks to stay connected to friends, family, community, and work. They are the life blood of our organization and it would be impossible to carry out our mission without them.”

On Thursday, October 20, NYSARC will kick off its 62nd Annual Convention with a special pre-convention program, “Moving Forward with You: An Educational and Training Opportunity for Self-Advocates and Direct Support Professionals,” and we’d love to see you there!

Register today!

Schedule

11:00am – 11:15pm – Opening Remarks
Jessica Sirota, Self-Advocate; Teaching Assistant, Cricket Town Child Care
Rockland County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc.

11:15am – 12:30pm – Plenary Session
“Code of Ethics: Alive and in Full Color!”
This session will guide participants through a highly interactive “encounter” with the NADSP (National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals) Code of Ethics. In a slightly “irreverent” and other entertaining session attendees will understand the importance of “doing the right thing” when no one is looking.
John Raffaele, LMSW, Director, Staff Training and Development, New Hope Community

12:30pm – 1:30pm – Lunch/Special Performance: The 5 Lovers Band

1:45pm – 3:00pm – Concurrent Workshop Sessions (choose one)

• “Self-Determination: Live It! Support It!”
  Promoting self-determination in the lives of people who have developmental disabilities requires partnership. Learn more about how the self-advocate/direct support professional relationship best works to support self-determination.
  Alan A. Schwartz, PhD, Senior Policy and Research Analyst; Senior lecturer | Westchester Institute for Human Development, New York Medical College
• “End-of-Life Decision-Making for Self-Advocates”
  People who have developmental disabilities now have greater opportunities to make real, life-defining decisions. The End-of-Life Decision Making for Self-Advocates training seeks to fill the information gap when making healthcare decisions, what to consider when making those decisions, tools that can be used to record decisions as well as being a support to friends and family who may be at the end of life. Empower yourself with information about choices for end-of-life.
  The NYSARC, Inc. Self-Advocacy Advisory Committee
• “Supporting Self-Advocacy Efforts for Individuals with Autism”
  Join a self-advocacy group from the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region as they discuss the importance of the self-advocacy movement for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, what works best for them, and what you can do to support self-advocacy efforts.
  Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region

3:15pm – 4:30pm – Plenary Session
“Supporting Self-Advocacy Efforts at the Local Level”
In order to best support your self-advocacy efforts at the local level, we need to hear directly from you! Please attend this session with a willingness to share your experiences, feedback and request for support.
MaryBeth Schneider, Assistant Executive Director for Direct Support and Self-Advocacy, NYSARC, Inc.

Special Event: Wretches & Jabberers Screening and Exclusive Q&A Session

“If you don’t already know a Direct Support Professional, someday you will.”

~Mid-Hudson Coalition

September 11-17 is National Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) Recognition Week. DSPs represent our field’s front-line, supporting individuals with disabilities. In New York State, the Direct Support Professional Alliance of NYS (DSPANYS) represents all DSPs in the State and is dedicated to promoting valued lives for the people we support by advancing the profession of direct support.

Both DSPANYS and its national parent, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), believe that the field of direct support will benefit from the following:

1. Enhancing the status of direct support professionals.
2. Providing better access for all direct support professionals to high quality educational experiences (e.g., in-service training, continuing and higher education) and lifelong learning which enhances competency.
3. Strengthening the working relationships and partnerships between direct support professionals, self-advocates, and other consumer groups and families.
4. Promoting systems reform which provides incentives for educational experiences, increased compensation, and access to career pathways for direct support professionals through the promotion of policy initiatives (e.g., legislation, funding, practices).
5. Supporting the development and implementation of a national volunteer credentialing process for direct support professionals.

Throughout the year, and especially during National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, NYSARC encourages you to become a member of DSPANYS, which includes membership with NADSP. With your support, DSPANYS and NADSP can accomplish their goals and professionalize the field of Direct Support.

Become a member today and support DSPANYS and NADSP

If you are a DSP, remember that you can get a complimentary 1-year membership when you have been credentialed by the NADSP as a registered DSP (DSP-R). Please click here for more information

“The Cuomo administration is continuing to pursue a two-year-old disciplinary case against Jeffrey Monsour, a state employee at the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities who has been an outspoken critic of the agency’s management.

Mr. Monsour, 50, a direct-care worker, is accused of getting into an argument with a co-worker in front of a resident in 2009. The state is seeking a four-week suspension, a penalty that exceeds those imposed on many employees who committed acts of abuse or neglect against developmentally disabled people.

Mr. Monsour has long been a gadfly within the office, which runs more than 1,000 group homes and institutions. Over the years, he has filed many Freedom of Information requests examining its practices, annoying agency officials, and he sees the case being brought against him as their latest attempt at retribution.”

Read the full article

NYSARC, Inc. Annual Convention
October 20-22
Albany Crowne Plaza Hotel
Albany, NY

Highlights

Special Performance
Please join us for a special performance of The Five Lovers, a very talented band from AHRC NYC who spreads their message of peace, love, & funk to open ears across the tri-State region.
Thursday, October 20th, 12:30pm – 1:00pm

Awards Luncheon Speaker
John Robinson, President and CEO of Our Ability, Inc., a company that specializes in mentoring people with disabilities through videos, social media and peer-to peer connections with employment support worldwide presents: “Overcoming Obstacles”.
October 21st, 12:00noon – 1:30pm

Convention Keynote/Screenings
“Finding Your Voice, Finding Your Purpose in Life”
Partners in crime, two individuals share their stories from the making of the film Wretches & Jabberers, and some of the behind-the-scenes adventures from the road. More importantly, they will share their mission of promoting more positive views of disability.
Screening and Q & A: October 20th, 8pm – 10pm
Screening: October 21st, 8:30am – 10:15am
Keynote: October 21st, 10:30am – 11:45am

Other Convention Highlights

Chapter Art Show
Convention Exhibits
Media Awards
Employer of the Year Awards
Delegate Assembly
Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Awards
NYSARC, Inc. Hodgson-Jacobs Law Award
Annual Banquet
Self-Advocate of the Year Award
Volunteer of the Year Award

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

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