What will a 6% CUT mean to you?
The Legislature needs to know!
Come to Albany to tell them!
You need to tell your legislators why they need to ELIMINATE THIS CUT
Tell your legislator what these cuts will mean in terms of:
- The impact on vulnerable New Yorkers;
- Lost services;
- Hardships to families;
- Health and Safety risks;
- Diminished ability to comply with key health and safety regulations;
- Critical staff shortages;
- Layoffs, including direct support personnel.
Tell your legislators that:
- We support the Governor’s reform agenda BUT you can’t reform a system in crisis;
- These are job killing cuts;
- These cuts will threaten the quality of life for the 120,000 vulnerable people we support.
- We have already had more than $350 million, or close to 9% in cuts, which have been targeted at services for those who are in most need of supports and services;
- We have had only cuts and no trends or cost of living adjustments in 3 years;
- In addition to all the past cuts there has been an enormous increase in regulatory mandates which have stretched funding and staff to the breaking point;
- These cuts are in direct conflict with the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A coalition of organizations has formed to fight the 6% cuts. Agencies from around the State will participate by sending contingents of people with developmental disabilities, families and staff to Albany to advocate directly with their legislators. We urge you to call your legislator in advance to notify him/her that you are coming. Most visits will be off the floor of the Assembly and Senate. For further information call your association representative listed below. The event will be held when the Legislature is in session until the conclusion of the State budget, likely the 3rd week of March. Please see the attached position paper (leave document) and talking points.
In addition to a presence in Albany, we are coordinating with the Statewide DD Communications Collaborative and we all agree that this needs to be a multi-faceted campaign including:
*Phone calls/call-in campaign (We will be sending out Legislative Action sites);
*Family Advocacy Day(s);
*Having a presence at the Mental Hygiene Legislative Fiscal hearing on Wed., 2/27/13 in Albany. The Capital District DD Coalition will be coordinating participation and everyone will try to wear white;
*Editorial board meetings;
*Letter writing campaign to the Governor and legislators;
*Rally or rallies?
For further information, or to sign up to Albany and meet with your legislators, please call your association representative listed below:
- · ALIA- Contact Margaret Raustiala at mraustiala@moritthock.com, cell # (631) 521-1458
- · Catholic Charities –Contact Anne Ogden at AnneO@CCDServices.org, (518) 783-1111
- · CP of NYS –Contact Barbara Crosier at bcrosier@cpofnys.org, cell # (518) 424-3198
- · DDAWNY – Contact J.R. Drexelius at jrdrexelius@gmail.com, cell# (716) 316-7552
- · IAC – Contact Wini Schiff at wini@iacny.org, cell # (917) 750-1497
- · Coalition of Families for Direct Support Staff – Contact Margaret Puddington at Margaret.Puddington@gmail.com, (212) 799-2042
- · NYSARC –Contact Ben Golden at goldenb@nysarc.org, cell# (518) 225-6316
Tell your Legislators:
New Yorkers with
Developmental Disabilities Need You!
Advocacy Campaign $240 M leave document
Advocacy Campaign $240 M talking points
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