Senator Bill Perkins & Assemblymember Robert Rodriguez To Host Community Town Hall On The Crisis Affecting Families & Providers Of Services To Individuals With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Senator Bill Perkins & Assemblymember Robert Rodriguez To Host Community Town Hall On The Crisis Affecting Families & Providers Of Services To Individuals With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

A series of initiatives undertaken by the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)—including Medicaid Redesign, recommendations of a “Transformation Panel” and attendant budget cuts and monolithic programmatic changes—have to potential to negatively affect many of the most vulnerable in our State. 

The children and parents of the Willowbrook era, and thousands of others now wonder what options will be available for their loved ones with IDD as both age and ponder the future. 

Of particular concern are the following :

¨      6,400 individuals with IDD have been identified as having an immediate need for out-of-home residential services, while OPWDD—which has not met this initial need—is planning to reduce the number of residential opportunities by more than 1,600

¨      There is no clear path forward for stable and sustainable funding to direct care workers and voluntary not-for profit agencies that are dedicated to serving those with IDD and providing the services and interventions that are critical to their quality of life

¨      The potential of moving individuals with IDD into a managed care system that is run by insurance companies—who act on profit motives—instead of providers who act in the best interest of individuals and families, resulting in diminished outcomes, restrictions, cuts and lack of individualized services

Please join Senator Perkins, Assemblymember Rodriguez and, most importantly, families, friends, caregivers, providers and other interested parties who lovingly support people with IDD for this exceptionally important Town Hall.

When:             Thursday, January 14th, 2016 | 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM

Where:           Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building | 163 West 125th Street—8th Floor—Conference Rooms A, B, & C