Advocacy & Government Relations

Advocacy: 

"to speak or write in support of another's cause or in support of something"

Each year the state and the federal legislators come together to enact new laws or make change to existing laws for the benefits of the citizens in the state and country. 

At Springbrook, we know that individuals can and do make a difference in setting public policy.  When groups of people come together, the result can be even more powerful.  Springbrook is committed to tracking legislation, keeping parents, families and constituents informed, and assisting them in learning about the legislative process and how they can be most effective in that process.

Together we can Make The Difference For People with Disabilities...For a Lifetime.

Take Action

Governor's Budget Cuts Will Yield Painful and Devastating Systems Failure

Last week, Governor Paterson unveiled a Deficit Reduction Plan (DRP) to address the $3 billion current year (2009-10) budget deficit. The DRP includes 10% across-the board spending reductions for all state agencies. This translates into deep local assistance cuts which will adversely impact all human services agencies if enacted. The Governor has proposed a $65.4 million cut specific to OMRDD which would have a dramatic, negative impact on the developmental disabilities service delivery system. It is important to note that this cut is a mid-year budget cut (effecting the remaining 5 months of the State fiscal year), State share only, and in real figures when annualized totals approximately $375 million.

To underscore the immediate critical nature of the budget crisis, the State Legislature has scheduled a series of public hearings to seek the impact of the Governor's proposed DRP. NYSACRA will submit testimony to the State Assembly and State Senate as to the devastating effect these proposed cuts will have if enacted. In the meantime, it is important that State Legislators hear from you, parents, family members and individuals with disabilities as to the negative impact which severe cuts to developmental disability supports and services will have on the system.

We expect the State Legislature to be back in Albany on Tuesday, October 27th for Extraordinary Session and purportedly to act on a budget reduction plan. Therefore, it is imperative that we commence this important advocacy movement through phone calls to State Legislators' Offices for the remainder of this week. We urge you to reach out to your Board, staff, family members, friends and others in your community to contact their State Legislative Representatives as well.

Please contact your State Assemblymember(s) and State Senator with the following message:

We understand and appreciate our state's current fiscal crisis, but the Governor's proposed cuts to developmental disability services will:

• Devastate the OMRDD service delivery system
• Compromise the quality of care delivered to individuals with developmental disabilities
• Shut down critical programs in your Legislative District which serve your constituency
• Create job loss for direct support professionals and other key members of the workforce in our field
• Negatively impact local economies which are already suffering
• Result in loss of federal Medicaid funding as well as loss of revenue to the State

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Autism Treatment Acceleration Act - Autism Insurance Reform Bills - To take action on this autism legislation, visit www.AutismVotes.org

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Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2009

We need you to join the effort!   To take action on this important bill, visit www.nysacra.org.

NOTE:  Please be sure to reference Springbrook whenever possible, thank you.

 

News

Autism Speaks Hails the Introduction of the Landmark Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA) in the U.S. House of Representatives

Autism Speaks is pursuing autism insurance reform bills in more than twenty states across the country in 2009. There are currently eight states that have passed comprehensive autism insurance reform bills, including – Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas Federal Autism Insurance Reform Bill.  Click here for a summary of Autism Insurance Reform Bills in New York. President Obama has drafted comprehensive autism legislation, including a section addressing broad-based federal autism insurance reform.

To learn more about this and other state and federal autism legislation, visit www.AutismVotes.org and sign up to receive advocacy alerts!

New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief Report to Governor Recommends Severe Cuts to Special Education

On December 1, 2008, the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief, chaired by Thomas Suozzi, released a report proposing that the state government make severe cuts in funding for special education and services for people with autism and other disabilities.

Legislative Issues

The ABLE Accounts Act of 2009 

The ABLE Accounts Act of 2009 - or Achieving a Better Life Experience Act - is designed to encourage individuals with autism (and other disabilities) and their families to save for disability-related expenses. The ABLE Act is meant to supplement rather than to replace benefits provided by other sources (including Medicaid and private insurance). 

Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2009

NYSACRA continues its commitment to advocating for the direct support workforce and the people they support. The Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2009 gives states a much-needed option to secure additional federal dollars for the direct support workforce.  These dollars represent a critical first step towards reducing workforce turnover rates in residential settings while answering the growing demand for supports.  We need to continue to tell Congress the realities of this crisis.  Congress needs to know that poor wage reimbursements jeopardize the quality of life for people with disabilities.

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