For many years, New York state has been a national and world leader in diagnosis and treatment of developmentally disabled people, with support of individuals and their families and the professionals that support them both state employees and those who work for a not-for-profit organizations. This is no longer true. The system in NY state for over the last 50 years is crumbling before our eyes. Under the (false) pretense that there is not enough Federal or State money to operate NY state OPWDD and not-for-profit agencies, group homes are being closed down and services denied left and right. Despite the well intentioned\u00a0 new governor, Kathy Hochul and the newly appointed commissioner of OPWDD, soon there may be no system left to save. The destruction of OPWDD and not-for-profit system is not by accident. It is the intentional work of former governor Andrew Cuomo.\u00a0 He claimed that there was no money to provide homes and support for those that have no voice. Forty years ago the OPWDD budget was funded by Medicaid. Today the Medicaid budget is subject to debate and there is alot of competition for those funds particularly from groups that generous campaign contributions to Cuomo.\u00a0 There is plenty of money for bridges in NYC and pay off groups that funnel money back to Cuomo. But today group homes with a long history of excellence are being shut down\u00a0 and these people are being moved into day treatment centers that are not meant to be a residence homes.\u00a0 Good nurses are in short supply. Why would a nurse want to work at a group home for half the pay and be mandated to stay 8 more hours or have to work weekends?\u00a0 Same for direct care staff at group homes. And now are mandated to be COVID19 vaccinated when they could stay home, collect unemployment or work a much simpler job for $15\/hour at a fast food restaurant.<\/p>\n
The answer is:\u00a0 Governor Kathy Hochul\u00a0 and the new Commisioner to allocate the money to stop this debacle! So that we can pay staff and nurse for the group homes.<\/p>\n
Please write to your legislation and insist they do so!!<\/p>\n