Action Alert: Help ensure Independent Living Centers can continue providing Consumer Directed Personal Assistance services!

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Action Alert in bold white letters on a red background

This Action Alert comes from the New York Association on Independent Living ... https://ilny.us

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Independent Living Centers (ILCs) advocated for the creation of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) program in New York State and several ILCs were founding organizations providing fiscal intermediary (FI) services. ILCs helped to create and chose to administer CDPAP through FI functions to support program participants to exercise control and independence over their services. In addition, the wrap around services provided through an ILC by peers are critical to the effective utilization of the program, and result in better outcomes for the participants.

However, the State’s recent effort to reform the program and limit the number of FIs has resulted in several ILCs being excluded from the program. The ILCs unique role in administering this program was acknowledged by the State and the original budget proposal to limit the number of FIs in New York intended for ILCs to continue operating the program. However, in the recent Request for Offers (RFO) contract award process to authorize Fiscal Intermediaries’ continued operation, DOH did not issue contracts to 5 ILCs, and the scoring criteria were so flawed that they failed to give these ILCs the highest possible score for their ability to serve individuals with disabilities.

The Legislature is looking to address this issue. Both the Assembly and Senate have put forward proposals that would help ensure Independent Living Centers can continue operating the program. We must urge the Legislature to address this issue in the final budget agreement so that individuals’ services are not disrupted!

Action: Call your Assemblymembers and Senators today and urge them to address the CDPAP Fiscal Intermediary issue in the final budget.

You can contact your Assemblymember by calling the Assembly switchboard at 518-455-4100 and ask to be connected to your Assemblymember.

Contact your Senator by calling the Senate Switchboard at 518-455-2800 and ask to be connected to your Senator.

Talking points:

  • The State must ensure Independent Living Centers are able to continue providing Fiscal Intermediary (FI) services under the CDPA program.

  • ILCs are uniquely positioned to be Fiscal Intermediaries for CDPAP as this program embodies the mission and philosophy of an ILC.

  • ILCs were the founding organizations for the CDPA program and administer the FI functions as originally intended, ensuring individuals full control over their own services.

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If you are interested in these or other disability advocacy issues, contact Colleen Downs, Systems Advocate at:

colleen@ncci-online.com
518-563-9058 Ext. 110

The Mission of the North Country Center for Independence is to help people with disabilities to live more independent and productive lives, and promote better policies and community understanding of disability issues. NCCI serves people with disabilities, families, and the community on issues related to physical and mental disabilities. NCCI is led and staffed mostly by people with disabilities. It is one of the 41 Independent Living Centers in New York State. There are also hundreds of similar centers throughout the United States. NCCI serves Clinton and Essex Counties, New York.