Cost-of-living proposal for human services is too low
Posted OnFebruary 24, 2026 byThere is no question that costs are going up across the board, and Gov. Kathy Hochul has made affordability the centerpiece to her agenda for the coming year. Yet the budget she proposed last month includes only a 1.7% cost-of-living adjustment for workers in the human services sector — workers who provide critical care to…Read More…
MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES PUSH FOR ADDITIONAL 1% INCREASE IN FY27 BUDGET
Posted OnFebruary 10, 2026 byThe agencies that deal with mental health and substance use disorders are facing rising costs. They are also reporting a statewide job vacancy rate of between 20%-30% with a turnover rate of 35%. To help make these jobs more competitive, advocates are asking the Legislature for a 2.7% increase in the money these services receive…Read More…
MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE-USE AGENCIES CALL FOR ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING
Posted OnFebruary 10, 2026 byALBANY — Emily Szary has difficulty finding the words that express how much she loves working at St. Catherine’s Center for Children in Albany, where she provides a range of services to some of the most vulnerable. But Szary worries if she’ll be able to continue her work as a children’s health care home manager…Read More…
New Yorkers living with disability face a crisis. We have to protect them
Posted OnMarch 28, 2025 byAs New York moves closer to finalizing the state budget, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature must agree on the best funding plan to care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or I/DD. The vast majority of New Yorkers with I/DD are supported by nonprofit agencies that provide everything from daily care to housing,…Read More…
Op-ed: A workforce in crisis: It’s time for New York to step up
Posted OnMarch 19, 2025 byBy Daniel Kane Jr. New York is a state that prides itself on its commitment to worker rights, union heritage and progressive values. Yet, in one of the most vital sectors of our workforce, the state has failed to uphold these ideals. Direct Support Professionals provide essential care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,…Read More…
Lawmakers, Advocates Call for Investment in People with Disabilities
Posted OnFebruary 26, 2025 bySenator Fahy and Assemblyman Santabarbara rallied with NYDA to urge Governor Hochul and the legislature for 7.8% system investment ALBANY, NY – Senator Fahy, Assemblymember Santabarbara, and New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) called for stronger investment and support in New Yorkers with disabilities today. Together, they advocated for New York to address the decades-long underfunding…Read More…
New York lawmakers and advocates push for increased funding for disability services
Posted OnFebruary 25, 2025 byNew York lawmakers and advocates push for increased funding for disability services (NY Senate) New York legislators and disability advocates are calling for increased investment and support for New Yorkers with disabilities, highlighting the need to address decades of underfunding that has strained non-profit providers. Senator Fahy, Chair of the Senate Disabilities Committee,Read More…
Rally for New Yorkers with Disabilities
Posted OnFebruary 25, 2025 byWNYT-TV (Albany NBC affiliate) covered the NYDA rally on February 25th, 2025.Read More…
Lagging investments in New Yorkers with disabilities
Posted OnFebruary 10, 2025 byFeb. 10, 2025 – The governor’s budget proposal doesn’t do enough to ensure New Yorkers with disabilities will have access to the staff they need, according to Mike Alvaro, head of the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State and president of New York Disability Advocates. We discuss a cost of living increase for staff and whether there should be stricter…Read More…
Op-Ed: Supporting families by strengthening the I/DD care system
Posted OnJanuary 21, 2025 byby Susan Lucas, Board of Directors President at The Arc Mid-Hudson As the parent of a daughter with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), I’ve navigated the challenges of caregiving while ensuring she has the resources to thrive. As Governor Hochul prepares her Executive Budget, she must include an investment in the I/DD service system to…Read More…