Page 3 - Work Force January 2016

A model for OPWDD’s future needs more state commitment
The
January 2016 Vol. 19 No. 1
Securing the Future
See pages 3 and 6
AMENIA — The state needs to do more to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Several pilot projects to improve state and privately provided services are showing promise, but will only succeed with better policy decisions and stronger commitment to ensure individuals don’t fall through the cracks as Gov. Andrew Cuomo phases out existing programs.
One such pilot program, Pathway to Employment at Taconic Developmental
Disabilities
Services
Office, gives
a glimpse of
CSEA members’
possible future
as service
providers for
individuals with
disabilities.
The program
focuses on job training and helps individuals gain independence while keeping workers nearby needed.
notes that while care for individuals with developmental disabilities must be provided in the least restrictive environment, it also holds that
the needs of individuals must be addressed.
“Programs such as Pathways to Employment are vital, especially as we face uncertainty for the future
of many of the services these individuals need,” CSEA President Danny Donohue said. “We believe the state selectively interprets Olmstead to diminish its obligations
to provide appropriate levels of care.
As a result the state has murky plans for future housing, services and supervision. That’s not acceptable. There are a wide range of needs the state must address.”
How Pathways works
CSEA members work with
individuals to explore and train for work opportunities suited to their interests. For example, workers are now guiding one man who expressed an interest in dairy farming, said Taconic DDSO Local President Terri Kraus.
“At Taconic, we’ve been up
and running for a while,” said Kraus, who sits on a statewide labor-management subcommittee focused on care pilots. “This program is giving the individuals more opportunity to see what their capabilities are and what jobs they could have. Our hope is that we can get this expanded beyond a pilot program and get more CSEA
From left, Developmental Support Assistant Maria Federico, Developmental Support Assistant Sonia Ashe, Developmental Assistant II Scott Pitcher, and Developmental Support Assistant Holly Brosseau. Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office is one of several where different pilot projects to help improve state and privately provided services are showing promise. The four also appear on page 1 of The Work Force.
“This program is giving the individuals more opportunity to see what their capabilities are and what jobs they could have. Our hope
is that we can get this expanded beyond a pilot program and get more CSEA members involved in this work long-term.”
to help when
members involved in this work long-term.”
The program has given individuals a greater say in their daily lives while retaining a support system. At Taconic DDSO, Kraus said individuals there interviewed workers involved in the pilot program and had a say in who ultimately was assigned to work with them. CSEA members guide individuals figuring out their work interests, which often begins
with volunteering with local organizations. Local businesses
are getting on board to help with job exploration and eventual employment options.
While some non-profit service providers offer similar programs, Kraus said the state must do its
part to expand programs such as Pathway to Employment to meet the growing need of helping individuals gain greater independence and integration into communities.
Kraus, the mother of an adult son with autism, said state officials have a chance to step up and introduce new services and expand existing ones that accommodate individuals and their families while adhering
to the new service model. Taconic DDSO also has a pre-vocational program for individuals to learn trade skills, while other state OPWDD facilities are hosting other pilot programs.
“Pathway has been a success,
but we need to expand it beyond its current limited capacity,” Kraus said. “Based on my personal experience, the need for respite care is high.
The turnover in the non-profit organizations that offer this is very high, and it’s another service that will have growing need as more individuals remain at home. This
is going to be the future of CSEA in direct care.”
— Jessica Ladlee
Programs such as Pathways
to Employment may prove even more vital as the governor recently vetoed legislation that would have helped ensure a better future for individuals with developmental disabilities. Families, staff and other advocates are strongly concerned about the range of future services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Misguided policy and priorities
The state is misguided in its interpretation of the Supreme Court’s 1999 Olmstead ruling, which
January 2015
The Work Force 3
Photo by Jessica Ladlee