Opinion: Prevent a Staffing Crisis

Wonderful opinion piece by NYS Assemblyman Jim Tedisco. Should go beyond New York's ARCs, but he knows his constituents. If you're planning or advocating on staff salaries in any state, give it a read.

As we approach the New Year, many of us in state government are turning our thoughts toward next year's state budget and spending priorities. Those spending priorities should begin with protecting our most vulnerable citizens.

Currently, New York's ARCs and those agencies that care for 60,000 developmentally disabled individuals are facing enormous pressure to recruit and retain qualified employees.The 48 community-based ARC nonprofit agencies employ 29,000 workers. Funding for the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities that supports our ARCs has been relatively flat the past few years.

Lack of Services for Adults with Autism Creates a Public Health Crisis

Bravo to Robert McNeil and his series on PBS Newshour this week. He has reaffirmed what so many of us in the field have known for years -- autism doesn't just affect children. Hopefully the media will follow his lead and recognize that there are so many adults across the world in need of services. Funding is needed for early intervention, as well as programs to support adolescents and adults on the spectrum.

Although federal law mandates educational services for children with autism, there are virtually no support services provided once they become adults. In the fifth report in his Autism Now series, Robert MacNeil profiles a young man in New Jersey -- and his family -- as they face an uncertain future for him.

Parents Protest Privatization of Group Homes

Staff turnover can be extremely difficult on people with developmental disabilities and their families. Starting from scratch and establishing trust takes time. Surprised we haven't heard more of this going on. Unfortunately, it probably is just the beginning of things to come.

TRUMBULL, Conn. -- Since 1997, Marge Keane's stepson, Brian, has lived at a state-run group home for people with developmental disabilities. Time was, she said, when the 47-year-old's behavioral issues meant that he often had to be restrained.
But with the same staff of caregivers regularly on duty at the home, that's no longer the case, Keane said. She fears, however, that her stepson's behavior will regress when the group home's management is turned over to a private firm.
According to Joan C. Barnish, a spokesman for the state Department of Developmental Services, 17 state-run group homes will be turned over to private management because of the recent retirement-incentive program offered to state employees. She said 395 DDS employees took advantage of the program and of that number, 162 workers provided direct support and service in group homes. Those 162 jobs will not be permanently filled, Barnish said, so the department feels the privatization is the best option to provide care.