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2013ExecutiveBudgetProposal

CSEAMemorandumonO.P.W.D.D.
Overthepast30yearsNewYorkStatehasbeenreducingitsresponsibilitiesinproviding servicesforthedevelopmentallydisabledandpushingthemtoprivatenotforprofitproviders. Thishascreatedapatchworkofprovidersintheprivatenotforprofitsectorthathavelittle accountabilityandpublicoversight. Amajorthemefromlastyearwasthehailedcreationofajuvenilejusticecentertostrengthen oversightandaccountabilityinordertopreventandpunishthosewhoabuseandneglect individualswithdevelopmentaldisabilities.Thefurtherprivatizationofstateoperatedservices proposedbythe20132014executivebudgetwillmakeitthatmuchharderforthejustice centertonotonlydoitsjob,butitwillincreasetheirbusinessasthequalityofcarewillsuffer greatly. Thisblatantmovetoeliminatestateoperatedservicesforthedevelopmentallydisablednot onlyjeopardizesthequalityofcareforourmostvulnerable,itremovesthestatefromcritical carechoices,administrativeprerogativesandoversightofthisvitalpublicservice.Inaddition,it eliminatesqualitymiddleclassjobsfromlocalcommunities. Itisawellknownfactthatthequalityofcareisgreatlyaffectedbytheconsistencyofthecare. Aregularrecognizablecaregiverwhocanestablishtrustanddependabilityiscriticaltoabetter qualityofcareaswellasahigherqualityoflifeforthedevelopmentallydisabledindividual. Privatenotforprofitproviderspaysubstandardwages,providelittleornobenefits,have unregulatedworkenvironments,andarecommonlyastartingpointforotherjobsand opportunities.Theturnoverrateforstaffatprivatenotforprofitprovidersinthe developmentallydisabledfieldtops40%,anunacceptablelevelwhenitcomestothecareand qualityoflifeforthedevelopmentallydisabled. Furthermore,thecontinuedassaultonthepublicsectorworkforcethroughprivatization schemeshasbeenproventimeandtimeagaintobeineffective,costly,andregretful.Taking middleclassjobsawayfromexperienced,dedicated,andcaringstateemployeesandreplacing themwithprivatenotforprofitproviderswhofailtopaytheirdirectcareworkersalivingwage hurtslocaleconomiesandthequalityoflifeforallNewYorkers,notjustthosereceivingcare.


CSEA Legislative and Political Action Department

2013ExecutiveBudgetProposal

CSEATalkingPointsO.P.W.D.D.

TheStateofNewYorkhasdrasticallyshiftedservicesforpeoplewith developmentaldisabilitiestotheprivatenotforprofitcommunity. Thequalityofcaresuffersgreatlywhenalargeportionofresponsibilityfor thosewithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesisprivatized.Stateemployeeshave foryearscaredfortheseindividualswithprideandcommitment.

Notforprofitshaveovera40%staffturnoverratewhichisunacceptable whenitcomestocaringforindividualsinneedofcontinuityandastable andsecureenvironment.

Thelossofmiddleclassjobsinlocalcommunitieshasanaddeddevastating affectdisplacedstateemployees,theirfamilies,andtheirlocal communitieswhosufferwhendecentpayingjobsdisappear.

CSEAisopposedtotheoutrightprivatizationofservicescurrentlybeingprovided bystateemployeesoftheOfficeofPeoplewithDevelopmentalDisabilities. CSEAstronglyurgesthelegislaturetorejectthispolicyandforcetheexecutiveto ceaseanyandalleffortstocloseordiminishservicescurrentlybeingprovidedby OPWDD.


Notforprofitemployeesarepaidatamuchlowerlevelthenstateemployeesforthecareof individualswithdevelopmentaldisabilities.Thiscreatesexcessiveturnoverratesamongstaff whichisdetrimentaltothoseinneedofcare. Currentactionsbythestatearedivestinglocalcommunitiesofgoodpayingjobs,hurtingboth thoseinneedofqualitycareandmiddleclassfamilies,mostlyinupstateNewYork. Thecontinuedprivatizationofstateservicesforthosewithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesfailsto recognizetheprofessional,caring,andstableworkforceoftheStateOfficeforPeoplewith DevelopmentalDisabilities.Continuingthispracticedoesadisservicenotonlytothe consumersbutthehardworkingstateworkforce.
CSEA Legislative and Political Action Department

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