Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State

10/20/2022

Easy Virtual Fair

As part of the NYS Office of the Chief Disability Officer and New York State Department of Labor's Disability Rights & Employment Awareness Month (D.R.E.A.M.) celebration, a virtual career fair will be held on Tuesday, October 25 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

If you are a job seeker looking to connect with employers who provide accessible work environments, you can register for free using the link below.

https://nysdolvirtual12.easyvirtualfair.com/

EasyVirtualFair, the leading HTML5 software for online events, is operating worldwide and empowering companies and institutions to organize their own fair, collect leads and make revenue instantly.

10/18/2022

We are so excited for our 19th Annual Conference next week in Troy. Will we see you there?

https://cdpaanys.regfox.com/leading-the-way-19th-annual-cdpaanys-conference

10/06/2022

The home-care worker raise that wasn’t

"We were proud to help win the first down payment in home-care wages this year — and we’ll continue fighting to make sure we win full funding for . But as we work to deliver fair wages, the state must play its part by demanding private insurance companies deliver every dollar to agencies and workers — and publicly report how much money insurance companies are paying."

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-home-care-workers-raise-20221005-h33pjguwgvfnzcpwl4zesbha3q-story.html

home-care workers and our allies in Albany fought long and hard for higher home-care wages this year — so why is the state letting private insurance companies pocket this money?

10/03/2022

As NY’s Home Health Aides Get Pay Bump, Insurance Companies Leave Employers in the Lurch

CDPAANYS and New York State Association of Health Care Providers, Inc. surveyed our members this week and reported that as of 9/30, 87 percent had not yet received a rate amendment, and 61 percent were actually offered decreased rates.

https://citylimits.org/2022/09/30/as-nys-home-health-aides-get-pay-bump-insurance-companies-leave-employers-in-the-lurch/

A state-funded increase in wages for the frontline workers begins Saturday, but companies say insurance providers are withholding the money.

09/29/2022

RSVP: 9/30 NYC March for Home Care Heroes

We are marching in NYC tomorrow and look forward to seeing many of you there.

Will we see you there to show up and support home care heroes, not insurance profits?

LINK TO RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2hpEr4l5nXGBOnLjicTS3-iAQURmpxRsRuamU7QyHZy1L0A/viewform

Meet at 11 AM by Healthfirst headquarters near Park Place & Church Street, march down the Canyon of Heroes starting at 11:30.

WHAT: March for our Home Care Heroes. WHEN: Meet at 11:00 AM, march at 11:30 down the "Canyon of Heroes". WHERE: Meet at Park Place & Church Street. March down Broadway, end at the Charging Bull statue. WHY: The Department of Health is giving $329 million to private insurance companies to fund the $...

09/27/2022

This Friday 9/30: Wall Street March for Home Care Heroes, Not Insurance Profits!

RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2hpEr4l5nXGBOnLjicTS3-iAQURmpxRsRuamU7QyHZy1L0A/viewform

09/22/2022

On October 1, minimum wage for home care workers will rise by $2/hour. However, there are serious issues with the implementation of these raises that are jeopardizing the entire home care system.

We are asking you to call Governor Hochul today at 518-474-8390. Tell her:

Governor Kathy Hochul, On October 1, minimum wage for home care workers will rise by $2/hour. Will you make sure that state funding makes it to home care workers and agencies, not private insurance companies? If you don't, the entire system is at risk, and it's older adults and disabled people who will pay the price.

09/14/2022

CDPAANYS Conference Scholarship Application

Are you a Consumer or Designated Representative who is interested in attending a vibrant 2-day conference all about CDPA?

CDPAANYS is happy to continue offering scholarships to eligible consumers & designated representatives, funded entirely by raffle tickets sold during happy hour at the conference each year.

We encourage you to apply!

https://forms.gle/Q3kC754V2UH6zFvC8

Please complete the following questions to apply for a scholarship to attend CDPAANYS' 19th Annual Conference, October 26-27 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy, NY. All applications will be reviewed anonymously by a committee of CDPAANYS representatives and scored by a common set of standards. Confere...

09/02/2022

Demand accountability and transparency of wage increase funding

As we all know, minimum wage for home care workers & CDPA personal assistants will increase by $2/hour on October 1 - less than a month away.

Currently, there is no system in place to guarantee that fiscal intermediaries and home care agencies will be paid enough/on time so that they can pay for these wage increases. We need your help!

Just over a year ago, Governor Kathy Hochul pledged to the people of New York that her administration would be marked by a new era of transparency and accountability. As people who care about CDPA, who care about home care, and who care about community-based services, we need to hold her to this. We must call on the Governor to tell her NYSDOH - New York State Health Department that it must impose that transparency and accountability on Medicaid managed care plans so that the hundreds of millions of dollars meant to help agencies pay workers $2 more per hour go to workers - not managed care executives.

Take a minute and write the Governor using the link below.

https://cdpaanys.org/advocacy-news/votervoice-action-center/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f97400%2fRespond

Gov. Kathy Hochul, dressed in Suffragette white, stands at a podium with the NYS seal on a blue background, delivering her remarks as she becomes the 57th Governor of New York. Just over a year ago, Governor Hochul pledged to the people of New...

08/30/2022

Who Represents Me: NYC

ICYMI: We recorded the webinar from 8/26 on Int. 0175.

Below are three action steps you can take now:

1. Find your city Councilmember and call to request that they either remove sponsorship of Intro 175 or not sponsor, as appropriate: https://www.mygovnyc.org/

2. RSVP to attend the rally at City Hall on September 6 at noon (Broadway and Murray, SE corner): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YX5lLuZsvaBJ6f7_IUU0ma21A_b0Yb_NhezU4SugG2k/viewform?edit_requested=true

3. Register to testify, in-person or online, at the September 6, 1 p.m. hearing in City Hall: https://council.nyc.gov/testify/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSXcYzYDt6s

A service of the Graduate Center, City University of New York by the Center for Urban Research in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the City of New York.

08/23/2022

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Home Care Under Threat: Webinar on NYC Council Bill Int. 0175. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

This Friday, August 26!

Home Care Under Threat: Webinar on NYC Council Bill Int. 0175
Description

The New York City Council is trying to pass a bill (Int. 0175) that will limit overtime hours home care workers and PAs can work, and will make it illegal for home care agencies and FIs to pay for 24-hour live-in care.

The impact of Int. 0175 could be the destruction of home care and CDPA in New York City. If passed, we expect immediate and severe workforce shortages that impact only the people who need home care the most: those with high hours, and those who are already struggling to retain workers.

We invite you to learn what we can and must do to work together and stop this from passing.

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yLugoHDqRlWEe4jYWZhAnw

The New York City Council is trying to pass a bill (Int. 0175) that will limit overtime hours home care workers and PAs can work, and will make it illegal for home care agencies and FIs to pay for 24-hour live-in care. The impact of Int. 0175 could be the destruction of home care and CDPA in New Yor...

08/17/2022

Advocates ramp up push for Fair Pay for Home Care bill in New York

Renee and thousands of other New Yorkers need now, more than ever.

Fair Pay not only increases wages for home care workers and personal assistants in a meaningful way in the current climate of inflation and economic anxiety - it also requires direct pass throughs via reimbursement channels to ensure providers get their fair share.

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/politics/2022/08/16/western-ny-advocates-ramp-up-push-for-fair-pay-for-home-care-bill

The bill would raise wages by 150% of the minimum.

07/21/2022

CDPAANYS on Twitter

CDPAANYS will be participating in the ADA 32 Celebration at the Palisades Center next week. This expo, hosted by United Spinal Association Hudson Valley Chapter and BRIDGES, celebrates the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Come see us from 3-7 pm on July 26!

https://twitter.com/CDPAANYS/status/1549777509213999105

“CDPAANYS will be participating in the ADA 32 Celebration at the at this special event hosted by and Hudson Valley. Come see us from 3-7 pm on July 26!”

07/20/2022

A List of Demands: A Living Wage for Home Care Aids Supports Disabled People - Rooted in Rights

"This is my plea: listen to disabled and chronically ill people, especially those of us who require home care. Learn about the history of our treatment in this state, country, and around the world. Use that knowledge to advocate on our behalf when we ask you to, as I do now. Support the workers who support us—not just for us, but because we can’t win in isolation. We all deserve what we need to thrive."



https://rootedinrights.org/a-list-of-demands-a-living-wage-for-home-care-aids-supports-disabled-people/

I am angry—angry that Fair Pay for Home Care was not fully funded in New York’s budget in January 2022. And angry that the small pay increase that was approved won’t solve New York’s severe shortage of home care workers. This crisis has forced me to go without much-needed assistance every we...

07/19/2022

Home Care Workers Protect the Civil Liberties of People with Disabilities. They Need Protection, Too | News & Commentary | American Civil Liberties Union

"It has never been more crucial to invest in the people who care for us and our loved ones."

https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/home-care-workers-protect-the-civil-liberties-of-people-with-disabilities-they-need-protection-too

The safety and dignity of home health aides is inextricably linked with the safety and dignity of those they care for.

06/27/2022

Tomorrow is Primary Election Day across New York State for the following public offices:

Governor
Lieutenant Governor
State Assembly
Other statewide offices, including certain judicial and school board seats

Do you have a voting plan?

06/23/2022

Fair Pay for Providers: Understanding the Impact

Tomorrow at 10 AM!
Join a panel of providers who have worked together alongside consumers and home care workers on fighting for .

The impact of increasing wages is well understood as relating to consumers and workers - but providers also stand to greatly benefit. CDPAANYS is excited to welcome panelists Faigie Horowitz (Caring Professionals), Carlyn Cowen (Chinese American Planning Council), and Adria Powell (Cooperative Home Care Associates).

This session is provided for free. All are welcome to join.

Online registration for Fair Pay for Providers: Understanding the Impact.

06/14/2022

“Sometimes I’m tired enough that I think I can’t do this anymore,” said Karen Eichelberger, 65, a Chautauqua County resident and the primary caregiver for her husband, who suffers from Lewy Body dementia, which affects a person’s thinking, memory and movement.

He qualified for 80 hours of care a week through Medicaid, but Eichelberger can only find aides to cover about a quarter of that.

https://buffalonews.com/business/local/caregiver-shortage-no-pool-of-people-to-pull-from-now/article_769c12ce-e754-11ec-a974-4f66fec59629.html

06/07/2022

Accessibility in New York

What are some of your favorite accessible things to do and places to visit in summer?

https://www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/accessibility/

New York State offers many attractions for visitors with accessibility needs. Explore our listings and view accessibility amenities for New York attractions.

06/06/2022

Home care crisis leaves New Yorkers without aides and families face burnout

"Caring for ill or aging family members takes a heavy emotional and financial toll on the caregiver, even when home care workers are available," Ornstein said.

But raising the appeal of the home care field by increasing wages and benefits will send a message that New York supports both home care workers and family caregivers, and that home care is a viable option for aging New Yorkers or those with disabilities.



https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2022/06/02/new-yorkers-without-aides-face-burnout-during-home-care-crisis/9458825002/?fbclid=IwAR2ENUmw-N9Y1lI8mPSbpGJZY5WrVjd34_QKJOi4NB22v3O0pT7BQxpR3T4

“The state pays home care workers poverty wages, and they’re leaving the sector in droves."

05/19/2022

English

Effective May 16, the New York Independent Assessor has taken the place of the Conflict-Free Evaluation & Enrollment Center.

If you have active Medicaid and are looking to enroll in community-based long term services & supports such as CDPA or personal care for the first time, you can schedule an evaluation from the NYIA by calling 855-222-8350.

Here is a link to the NYIA website:

https://nyia.com/en

The New York Independent Assessor program conducts assessments of New York Medicaid members who want to receive community based long term services and supports.

05/13/2022

Congratulations to Sally Johnston, who was inducted last night into the 2022 class in New York State Independent Living Council, Inc.'s Disability Rights Hall of Fame.

Sally has been an integral part of the fight for disability rights in New York State, and it was her advocacy that led to the formation of consumer directed personal assistance in New York State. Without Sally, there would be no CDPA and choices for New Yorkers with disabilities would look very different today.

05/06/2022

Fraud in Self-Direction: What Does the Data Tell Us?

WEBINAR ALERT!

Fraud in Self-Direction: What does the Data Tell Us?
Molly Morris & James Toews
Applied Self-Direction

Friday, May 13, 2022 at Noon

Register today for exclusive access to this virtual event!

"There is a pervasive and long-standing narrative that personal care services, and specifically self-directed personal care programs, are highly susceptible to fraud. This narrative stems from numerous publications from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). However, when you look at the data, it is clear that fraud occurs at exceedingly low rates within personal care services and self-directed personal care.

During this session, Applied Self-Direction’s James Toews and Molly Morris will review Applied Self-Direction’s research analyzing data from the FY2020 annual report of Medicaid Fraud Control Units and their efforts to dispel the prevalent myth that self-direction is uniquely susceptible to fraud. James and Molly will also explore the implications of their findings for the use of electronic visit verification (EVV) in self-direction programs."

https://cdpaanys.regfox.com/fraud-in-self-direction-what-does-the-data-tell-us

Online registration for Fraud in Self-Direction: What Does the Data Tell Us?.

05/02/2022

History of Older Americans Month | ACL Administration for Community Living

Did you know that May is National Older Americans Month, designated by the Administration on Community Living since 1963?

https://acl.gov/oam/history

OAM History When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting i...

04/25/2022

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: : A Grassroots Movement that Changed New York. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

This Thursday at 1:00 PM!

Please join CDPAANYS Community Organizer Jose Hernandez, CDPAANYS President & New York Caring Majority Hudson Valley Leader Kendra Scalia, and Sage Jobsis & Mark Ressl for a webinar on how grew from a tiny grassroots movement to one of the top three biggest issues in this year's New York State budget.

Register using the link below. We look forward to seeing you!

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MDzIbWY1Qsm1ff8BA_APmg

CDPAANYS is thrilled to present an opportunity to learn from leaders in the movement about how this grassroots movement came to drastically alter New York's discussion on home care wages and the workforce crisis. Featuring Jose Hernandez (CDPAANYS Community Organizer), Kendra Scali...

04/05/2022

Yesterday was a packed day of action in Albany as we rallied in the final push for together as part of New York Caring Majority.

We recognized legislative care champions, filled the government buildings with signs, interrupted the governor's press conference, and in the evening, 22 of us including our Executive Director & Board President were arrested at the Capitol for refusing to leave.

The fight is STILL not over, and we're hearing extender bills are on the table.

04/02/2022

Advocates for 'Fair Pay for Home Care' fight for final NY budget inclusion

Both the New York state Senate and Assembly included the May-Gottfried “Fair Pay for Home Care” bill in their one-house budgets. It would direct the state commissioner of health to set regional minimum rates of reimbursement for home care aides under Medicaid and managed care plans.

The question now is whether Gov. Kathy Hochul will approve the measure.

https://nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-politics/new-york/politics/2022/03/31/advocates-for--fair-pay-for-home-care--fight-for-final-budget-inclusion

It would raise minimum wage for home care workers.

04/01/2022

Let's GO Big for Fair Pay for Home Care

The budget is late - which means there is still time for us to rally and push Fair Pay over the finish line. As you may have seen, Fair Pay for Home Care is one of the hottest issues in this year's budget - along with bail reform, the Bills stadium & gas taxes.

Care can't wait. The home care worker shortage is a widespread crisis that affects everybody. Our own staff, our own board members - people who are well connected and subject matter experts - are suffering greatly because they simply can't find assistants who want to do home care for minimum wage.

So we're asking. Will you join CDPAANYS and the Caring Majority in a final day of action in Albany on Monday, 4/4 at noon to win ?

https://actionnetwork.org/events/lets-go-big-for-fair-pay-pay-albany-day?clear_id=true&link_id=6&can_id=a0219eee37c99ad9c3149fcbdb8473cd&source=email-its-april-1-but-we-havent-won-fairpay4homecare-yet&email_referrer=email_1497374&email_subject=its-april-1-but-the-fight-for-fairpay4homecare-isnt-over

The full legislature is behind us, now we just need Governor Hochul to lead the nation by including in this year's budget. The budget is late and we aren't going anywhere! Join the Caring Majority in another big push in Albany on Monday!

03/31/2022

Happening right now. Not budging until Governor Hochul signs a budget including

03/31/2022

LIVE at the Capitol

03/31/2022

It has been a busy week at the Capitol and the Senate and Assembly are in the final hours of negotiations before the budget is finalized.

CDPAANYS and our partners at New York Caring Majority have been here all week pushing for lawmakers to make a priority. We have seen news coverage across outlets, support from both houses and all parties of the Legislature.

If you haven't already, PLEASE urge Governor Hochul to include Fair Pay for Home Care in the final budget.

03/29/2022

VIRTUAL Speak-Out in the Governor's Office!

If you are a New Yorker struggling to find home care due to the low pay, Governor Hochul urgently needs to hear your story.

Join our virtual speak-out from wherever you are. It will be projected onto a screen in the Governor's Office so your stories fill the halls of power with the urgent need to include Fair Pay for Home Care in this year's budget.

There are just days left til the budget is final. We have the entire state legislature behind us. We are now waiting on Governor Hochul and Care Can't Wait.

At this speak-out, you will hear stories from dozens of New Yorkers who are all in some way impacted by New York's worst-in-the-nation workforce shortage and learn how you can take action in these last crucial days before the budget is final.

Register today for the ZOOM Link!

Closed Captioning and Visual Description will be provided

https://actionnetwork.org/events/virtual-speak-out?clear_id=true&link_id=2&can_id=9f33de12f5795826eee2d6c85448531a&source=email-this-is-it-win-or-lose-for-fair-pay-for-home-care&email_referrer=email_1491460&email_subject=this-week-fairpay4homecare-final-countdown

If you are a New Yorker struggling to find home care due to the low pay, Governor Hochul urgently needs to hear your story. Join our virtual speak-out from wherever you are. It will be projected onto a screen in the Governor's Office so your stories fill the halls of power with the urgent need to in...

03/25/2022

Today, Rep. Ritchie Torres and Bronx legislators, plus Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson gathered to speak out in support of and call on Governor Kathy Hochul to include Fair Pay in the final budget.

The Bronx is home to more people in need of home care per capita than almost anywhere else in New York State, as well as a large portion of the NYC home care workforce.

We have one week to go!

03/25/2022

New York's home care industry is in turmoil. Here's how it got there.

Michele Bailey, 61, a former aide of Sgueglia’s, left home care in 2020 after 12 years in the field.

The last time they saw each other was that March. She’s now an assistant manager at a Saratoga County Price Chopper, where she oversees the bakery for $19 an hour.

Bailey found the choice to leave home care heartbreaking.

"Do I feel like I’m making as much of a difference, making sure people have cupcakes over helping people live the best they can?" she said. "No."



https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/New-York-s-home-care-industry-is-in-turmoil-17012432.php?IPID=Times-Union-HP-CP-spotlight

The home care industry in New York is facing an unprecedentedly severe staffing crisis.

03/23/2022

‘I sleep in my wheelchair’: Hudson Valley residents struggle to find home care

“Raising the minimum wage [through ] would address almost all of our struggles of finding home care,” said Scalia.

“In the past 18-plus months that my brother has been my only worker, I’ve had hundreds of interviews looking for candidates to fill this job. Every person I offered a job to said they can’t accept it because of the pay.”

https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/fair-home-care-pay-17012003.php

Lack of home care aides makes daily living challenging for Orange County residents...

03/22/2022

03/21/2022

March 22: IN PERSON Fair Pay for Home Care Advocacy Day!

On Friday, we rallied in New York City.

Tomorrow, we rally in ALBANY!!! Will we see you at the Capitol?

https://cdpaanys.regfox.com/march-22-in-person-fair-pay-for-home-care-advocacy-day

Online registration for March 22: IN PERSON Fair Pay for Home Care Advocacy Day!.

03/18/2022

03/18/2022

and Why it Matters

For those who were not able to catch United Spinal Association of NYC's webinar on , we urge you to watch as advocacy leaders from the community share what life is really like when you can't find home care workers.

Lack of access to home care services isn't just an inconvenience. It is the difference between living at home and living in a nursing home. Sleeping in bed versus sleeping in a wheelchair and resulting pressure sores and injuries. Being able to eat nutritious food when you're hungry, and going without.

We are so close to winning - but unless Governor Kathy Hochul fully funds Fair Pay in the final budget, New Yorkers will continue to go without the home care services they NEED.

New York Caring Majority

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ993OyoIXU

A growing critical shortage of home care workers threatens the independence of thousands of seniors and people with disabilities. This webinar will show how ...