Senate Resolution No. 2643

BY: Senator RIVERA

COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of the Consumer
Directed Personal Assistance Program

WHEREAS, It is the sense of the State of New York to recognize and
pay tribute to those landmark moments in our history that have taken a
major step forward in protecting persons with disabilities and improving
equality and access for all citizens in the State of New York and
throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Consumer Directed Personal
Assistance Program; and

WHEREAS, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance is a groundbreaking
program which began in New York City in 1980, as the Patient Managed
Home Care model; and

WHEREAS, The program, which served as a national model that has
since been replicated in every state in the nation, grew out of the
Independent Living Movement, and remains the only program specifically
created by people with disabilities for people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, the Legislature looked to examine whether this
program could prove successful statewide and the New York State Patient
Managed Home Care Demonstration began; the demonstration proved so
successful that, in 1995, the Legislature implemented the program
statewide, and Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) as we know
it today was born; and

WHEREAS, CDPA is unique in the way in which it empowers seniors and
people with disabilities by giving them control over decisions related
to how the services they need to remain independent in the community are
provided, and who provides them; and

WHEREAS, Consumers themselves are responsible for recruiting,
hiring, training, supervising, and, if necessary, terminating their own
staff, allowing those who use the program tremendous amounts of personal
freedom; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this vital program allows people to truly be a
part of their communities, holding jobs, going to the movies and grocery
shopping, something even traditional home care models cannot do; and

WHEREAS, Today, CDPA serves approximately 75,000 people statewide,
providing employment to over 100,000 people; the program has been
identified as the primary driver of job growth throughout the state,
making it not only a critical means to deliver community-based supports,
but also an important mode of economic development; and

WHEREAS, The 40th Anniversary of the Consumer Directed Personal
Assistance Program and the 25th Anniversary of its statewide passage, is
a time to celebrate the aforementioned accomplishments and to recognize

the many outstanding organizations and individuals who consistently go
above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in our communities; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Consumer Directed Personal
Assistance Program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New York State Department of Health, Consumer
Directed Personal Assistance Program.