Commentary: Providers and educators are building pathways into the field. Competitive wages and career growth opportunities will help keep people in it. By Kathryn Jerian and Michael Seereiter, For the Times Union Oct 27, 2026 Young people entering today’s workforce face a complicated landscape. Entry-level opportunities are increasingly competitive, artificial intelligence is reshaping professions once…Read More…

Published: Oct. 09, 2026 By Jackie Scarcella Here at A Very Special Place, we work to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities on Staten Island and beyond. Every day, we witness how critical Medicaid is for those we support. But growing administrative and eligibility challenges are making it increasingly difficult for people to maintain the coverage…Read More…

A screenshot from the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies website. Credit: EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies By Lisa Burch October 7, 2026  When nine direct support professionals for those with disabilities suddenly leave an organization like ours, the impact cannot be measured simply by nine vacancies on a staffing schedule. At EPIC Long Island, we…Read More…

Direct-support professionals’ work is essential to disability services, but current job classifications make the workforce difficult to track and support By Karen Russell,For the Times UnionSep 30, 2026 Twenty-nine people on our staff at New Hope Community, a nonprofit supporting people with disabilities, have dedicated more than 20 years to our organization – a combined 755…Read More…

September 24, 2026 At a time of uncertainty for people with I/DD and the organizations that support them, New York needs leaders willing to speak clearly about what is at stake. Governor Hochul has done exactly that, and she deserves our thanks. Recently, she led a coalition of governors urging the federal government to preserve…Read More…

ByJoseph M. Pancari “People with disabilities deserve the same opportunity as everyone else to choose where they live, build relationships, participate in their communities, and remain connected to the places they call home throughout their lives.” Housing has become one of the most prominent issues facing Americans in recent years and in New York, concerns…Read More…

Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Chris Burdick with legislators, CP Unlimited staff, caregivers and advocates. Photo courtesy of Office of State Sen. Pete Harckham / Tom Staudter Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2026 4:27 pm State Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Chris Burdick announced the passage of their “Traveling with Dignity Act” in both houses of the New York state Legislature and joined…Read More…

Scott Marracino Aug 19, 2026 There is a lady I like to meet every few weeks, often for lunch. Her name is Kaila. It hasn’t been going on for that long, but it’s really turned into something. What makes Kaila so special? For one thing, her friendliness. When she meets you, she wants to know…Read More…

June 5, 2026 | 5:00 am | Eric Gross Senator Pete Harckham ALBANY – Putnam-Westchester State Senator Pete Harckham met with dozens of advocates and support professionals during the past year who deal with the handicapped on a daily basis who highlighted the challenges related to dignity, accessibility, and inclusion faced by individuals with intellectual and…Read More…

June 4, 2026 ALBANY, N.Y. — New York lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at improving accessibility for people with disabilities, seniors and injured veterans by requiring adult-sized changing stations in a wide range of public facilities across the state. The “Traveling With Dignity Act” passed both houses of the state Legislature and now awaits action…Read More…