April 18, 2024

Budget Negotiations Near Conclusion

On Monday, Governor Hochul announced an agreement has been reached on the basis for the final Enacted Budget. Some legislators voiced that this announcement is premature, but in an interview on Capital Tonight, Hochul insisted that this is the standard process after the initial, “handshake.”

The budget is now 18 days late, and the governor introduced a sixth emergency appropriation, extending the budget deadline until Friday, April 19.

We have gotten word that the final budget will include a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment and a 1.7% wage increase for most staff, however, the Health Services bills – which include OPWDD funding – have not been printed, and no Appropriation budget bills have been introduced.

We will update you in the coming days about the final budget and its impact on people with disabilities. The investment we’ve heard will be included is far less than we requested. We encourage you to continue your advocacy until the budget is approved.

You can still make phone calls and participate in our one-click campaign to demand that Governor Hochul and the State Legislature include true 3.2% cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase for the nonprofit I/DD service sector and Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) in the SFY 2025 Enacted Budget.

That is the investment New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities need.

Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Goes Orange for The Arc Westchester!

The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge lit up bright orange on Saturday evening, April 13th to honor The Arc Westchester's 75th anniversary. Orange is the signature color shared with The Arc New York and The Arc of the United States and symbolizes our steadfast commitment to supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families.

The illumination serves as a poignant tribute to The Arc Westchester’s unwavering commitment to fostering independence, inclusion, and dignity for all.

Check out photos and coverage by News 12 and New York’s PIX11 here.

Addressing the Shortage: The Current State of the Direct Care Workforce

Join ACL’s Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center and the Bipartisan Policy Center on Apr 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM for an insightful webinar addressing the critical issue of the direct care workforce shortage, current policy initiatives, and solutions to address it. This webinar will equip participants with an understanding of the critical role that the direct care workforce plays in community living and the challenges that the workforce shortage has created.

A panel discussion will feature experts from various Strategies Center partners to share their perspectives on cultivating supportive environments, expanding the direct care workforce, and improving data collection. The panel will discuss strategies and initiatives that both the federal government and state governments have developed to address the shortage of direct care professionals.

You can register for the webinar here.

Register for NADSP Advocacy Symposium

On April 30 and May 1, 2024, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) will embark on its third national advocacy event to bring the direct support professional (DSP) perspective to the forefront of Congress and the Administration during a time of unprecedented workforce challenges. Hardships from the pandemic and recent legislation has provided new insights and opportunities for the direct support workforce that supports people with disabilities.



NADSP will provide DSPs from all across the country comprehensive virtual advocacy trainings. This will lead up to the 1.5-day virtual event in on May 1 that will culminate with virtual meetings with Congressional leaders and staff to educate and advocate on NADSP’s public policy priorities for 2024. Although others are welcome, the goal is to have DSPs participate and be at the forefront. We encourage you to share this opportunity with staff.

Visit the NADSP website for more information, and to register for the free Advocacy Symposium and Legislative Meetings Training.