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FAMILY ADVOCACY EVENT
The developmental disabilities field was fortunate this year that the Governor's budget did not include new cuts to funding to key services. Therefore, we do not have to ask the legislature for restorations as has been the case in the past. Consequently, the Alliance has decided to organize calls to legislator's district offices rather that the visits to district offices families on Long Island have made the past few years. The Alliance's goal is to organize hundreds of calls to the Long Island delegation in their district offices on Friday, March 9th.
The Alliance has invited other associations throughout New York to organize calls from families to their legislators on the same day (Friday, March 9th).
The goal is to ensure that New York State's legislators remember that people with developmental disabilities continue to need services which are not currently available including out-of-home residential services, day services, CSS, respite and services for the medically frail.
The message is simple:
I am a parent/guardian of an individual with disability who receives services through East End Disability Associates. I am grateful that the Governor has not proposed further cuts to the OPWDD budget this year, after several years of major cuts to this system.
However, funding is STILL needed for additional services for people with developmental disabilities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. According to OPWDD in Nassau and Suffolk counties, there are 2,280 people on the waiting list for out-of-home residential services, 249 people have requested day services and there are only 74 current vacancies, 168 people have registered and are waiting for CSS and there is a growing unmet demand for respite service and services for medically frail individuals. Please ask your leadership to add funding for these much needed services.
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ACTION NEEDED:
1.Call your New York State Assemblymember and Senator on March 9th (a list of district office phone numbers is attached). Follow the links below to find your:
Assemblymember and Senator or call the following numbers and ask for public information:
Assemblymember: (518) 455-4100
Senator: (518) 455-2800
2. State your name and address
3. Read the message above or make a similar plea for additional services in your own words.
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