Felder, Kaminsky Secure $55k for OHEL, Restore Cuts to Developmentally Disabled Services

(Albany, New York) — Senators Simcha Felder and Todd Kaminsky secured $55,000 for Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services in this year’s state budget, as well as the full restoration of planned funding cuts from the State’s Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for reimbursements to group homes and other organizations that provide services to New Yorkers.

“I am delighted to work together with Senator Kaminsky to support OHEL. A trusted name for decades, OHEL is often the first call in a crisis. During this very difficult time, we are so grateful for their work. I am very pleased that we were able to restore the OPWDD funding that is vital to the care and well being of people with special needs. With these funds OHEL will continue to help so many New Yorkers in need,” said Senator Felder. 

“New Yorkers with developmental disabilities deserve first-rate care — and Ohel provides that and more,” said Senator Kaminsky. “Working with Senator Felder, I was proud to secure $55,000 in funding for Ohel in this year’s state budget and am confident it will go to good use furthering the many services the organization provides for children and families. In addition, we also fully restored proposed cuts to services for differently-abled individuals and will continue to stand up for the most vulnerable residents of our state.”

“This welcome support from the state brings Ohel some much needed relief from the continuing new costs we’ve encountered in the past year during the pandemic.” said David Mandel, CEO of Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services. “We thank Senators Todd Kaminsky and Simcha Felder for their steadfast support of our organization’s work as well as for securing this grant in the state budget.”

This year’s state budget included a proposed 23 percent cut in funding for care coordinator organization services for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Kaminsky and Felder fought for a full restoration of this funding to support New York’s vulnerable populations.

Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services provides an array of social services in New York City and Long Island, including foster care, mental health counseling, residential and outpatient care for individuals with developmental disabilities, older adult services, and Camp Kaylie — a fully-integrated sleepaway camp for children with and without disabilities. The grant funding secured by Felder and Kaminsky will go toward the non-profit organization’s work supporting children and families in need. 

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