As we gear up for the 2020 legislative session, CDPAANYS will be traveling around the state for a series of “Listening Tour” advocacy visits. The purpose of these visits is for us to meet with consumers, personal assistants and other concerned New Yorkers to discuss recent policy changes and hear from the public.

These are informal public meetings, not official hearings of any kind – but we do ask that you pre-register, as space is limited!

SUFFOLK COUNTY: Monday, December 9 at 1:00 PM – Anna’s Community Room, Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO), Medford

Click here to sign up for the SUFFOLK meeting.

NASSAU COUNTY: Monday, December 9 at 6:00 PM – Yes We Can Community Center, North Hempstead/Westbury

Click here to sign up for the NASSAU meeting.

NEW YORK CITY: Tuesday, December 10 at 12:00 PM – Room 101, The LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th Street

Click here to sign up for the NEW YORK CITY meeting.

On Friday, October 11, Albany County Supreme Court Judge Christina Ryba ruled against the state Department of Health in a lawsuit challenging its new payment methodology for fiscal intermediaries critical to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance program.

The judge ruled that the payment methodology implemented Sept. 1 violated the State Administrative Procedures Act and declared it null and void.

“The court’s decision today was an important first step in protecting services for the tens of thousands of senior and disabled New Yorkers who rely on the CDPA program,” said Bryan O’Malley, Executive Director of CDPAANYS.

“As they go back to the drawing board, CDPAANYS and our partners stand ready to work with the DOH to come up with real solutions that will save money without ruining the lives of 70,000 New Yorkers who rely on the program for their dignity and independence, and the over 100,000 people it employs.”

The exact ramifications of the decision remain to be seen; however, this is a cause for celebration and a major step in the right direction. Please follow this space for further updates on this matter. On social media, follow hashtag #SaveCDPA for news article shares and advocacy.