Good afternoon concerned disability advocates, The Senate is blocking Community First Choice! Organize a local media event for Monday, June 16th to urge the Senate to do the right thing! Below is information and sample documents you need. ACTION: Contact Senator James Seward at his local and Albany office and ask him to urge Senate leadership to negotiate and introduce legislation amending the Nurse Practice Act TODAY! Senator James L. Seward: Local Office - 607-758-9005 Albany Office - 518-455-3131 BACKGROUND: Last week, disability rights advocates from across the state protested in Albany to secure support from the New York State legislature for amending the Nurse Practice Act to allow the state to implement the Community First Choice (CFC) Option. After a long day of protest with 17 people being arrested, we were successful at getting the Assembly to the table for negotiations. Now, the NYS Senate is blocking progress because it is refusing to negotiate anything with the Governor in response to his announcement that he backed a full Democratic takeover of the state Senate. Thats right. During budget negotiations, we lauded the Senate Republicans for supporting CFC and amending the Nurse Practice Act. They kept the issue alive. With the change, seniors and people with disabilities eligible for institutional placement would have the option to receive services and supports in the community. Additional federal funds associated with CFC would pay for service expansions and add an estimated $350 million to the states general fund every year. That amount would increase as the state implements its Olmstead plan. Instead of capitalizing on their support of seniors and people with disabilities, they are showing complete disregard for the seniors, the Disability community - and taxpayers - as they throw away hundreds of millions of dollars to help our state. If agreement isnt reached and a bill isnt printed by 11:59 PM on Monday, the legislature wont be able to act before the end of session on this critical issue. TAKE ACTION NOW: Urge the NYS Senate to continue their leadership on this issue and demand that they NOT allow seniors, people with disabilities and NYS taxpayers to become collateral damage in their fight with the Governor. 1. MOBILIZE PEOPLE TO CALL YOUR AREA NYS SENATORS. Get everyone you can to make calls to your Senators and ask them to urge Senate leadership to negotiate and introduce legislation amending the Nurse Practice Act TODAY! 2. ORGANIZE A PRESS EVENT ON MONDAY, JUNE 16TH. Hold a press conference at your office or organize a vigil outside of the office of a state Senator. Get the press to contact your local Senators and Senate leadership to get a statement as to why they are throwing away millions of dollars over a political squabble with the Governor. LINK FOR NYS SENATE: nysenate.gov/senators WHAT IS AT STAKE: Failing to act will have a significant impact on people with all types of disabilities and NYS taxpayers. 1. Seniors and people with disabilities who are eligible for institutional placement wont be guaranteed services and supports in the community. 2. New support services for individuals with dementia wont be available made available. 3. Individuals with developmental disabilities who are on waiting lists for services will continue to go without needed services instead of getting the services they would be entitled to with CFC. 4. An extensive expansion of consumer-directed mental health services - estimated at $60 million - will be delayed. 5. NYS wont be able to add $350 million to the states general fund AFTER paying for this these service expansions. SAMPLE MEDIA ADVISORY: Disability rights advocates hold vigil and press conference at Senator Robachs office over Senate blocking single biggest civil rights victory for New Yorkers with Disabilities since the Americans with Disabilities Act. What: Vigil and Press Conference Who: Rochester ADAPT, the Center for Disability Rights, and Regional Center for Independent Living When: Monday June, 16, 2014; Vigil from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Press conference at 1:00 p.m. Where: In front of Senator Robachs office, 2300 W. Ridge Road Rochester, NY 14626 Why: The NYS Senate is blocking progress because it is refusing to negotiate a bill with the Governor in response to his announcement that he backed a full Democratic takeover of the state Senate. Last week, disability rights advocates from across the state protested in Albany to secure support from the New York State legislature for amending the Nurse Practice Act to allow the state to implement the Community First Choice (CFC) Option. The change would ensure that any senior or person with a disability eligible for institutional placement would have the option to receive services and supports in the community. Additional federal funds associated with CFC would pay for service expansions and add an estimated $350 million to the states general fund every year. For more information, contact Dave Atias at 585-546-7510. Thank you for your continued advocacy! Aaron T. Baier Consumer & Systems Advocacy Coordinator
Posted on: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 20:40:14 +0000
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