Professional Documents
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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.