Governor's Executive Order Establishes Statewide Health Exchange
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently issued an Executive Order to establish a statewide Health Exchange, a move that will significantly reduce the cost of coverage for individuals, small businesses, and local governments. The Exchange will be entirely financed by the federal government and will be instrumental in establishing the first-ever comparative marketplace to bring down the cost of health insurance. By lowering the cost of insurance, the exchange will also help more than one million uninsured New Yorkers afford coverage.
"The bottom line is that creating this health exchange will lower the cost of health insurance for small businesses, local governments, and individual New Yorkers across the state. The sky-high cost of insurance in New York is driving businesses out of the state and preventing lower income New Yorkers from being able to afford needed coverage," Governor Cuomo said. "Establishing the health exchange will bring true competition into the health care marketplace, driving costs down across the state."
View Executive Order
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New Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential for Students with Severe Disabilities
Beginning with the 2013-14 school year and thereafter, the NYS IEP diploma will be replaced with a Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential for students with severe disabilities who are eligible to take the NYS Alternate Assessment. This change will help students with severe disabilities, those students who have limited cognitive abilities combined with behavioral limitations, physical limitations, or both and who require highly specialized education, social, psychological and medical services to maximize their full potential for self-fulfillment and meaningful participation in society.  Click here for more information and related documents. |
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OPWDD Addressing Training for Direct
Support Professionals
OPWDD is addressing training for direct support professionals and is compiling a resource list. Most of their work has been with provider agency personnel and it might be helpful for readers and family members who have suggestions to also pass on their recommended resources. The attached PDF explains what OPWDD is doing and provides further information and a worksheet.
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24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline
Disasters and tragedies are always unexpected and often bring out strong emotions. The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, the nation's first permanent hotline dedicated to providing disaster crisis, is a 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a natural or man-made disaster or tragedy.
 The helpline can also be accessed at: OR Text
TalkWithUs to 66746.
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Join Us on Facebook and Twitter!!! 
Come and check out social media opportunities - Facebook and Twitter at the State's Council on Children and Families - including ENGAGE! Make the most of your social networking experience by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or both!
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