Dear Friends and Colleagues:
OPWDD and our workforce took some significant steps forward this week in reforming this agency and how we ensure the health and safety of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Wednesday, with Governor Cuomo and State Police Commissioner Joseph D’Amico, OPWDD announced a consistent set of guidelines for reporting abuse to law enforcement. As you know, we will unequivocally seek the termination of anyone guilty of abuse or neglect. This joint agreement with the State Police gives our workforce some long overdue clarity on what must be reported, and empowers our employees to ensure that criminal action is taken against those who engage in criminal activity.
Strengthening our policies alone doesn’t equate to reform. We must also have a culture in which all employees and individuals know that abuse will not be tolerated, and that when they speak up, something will be done. As OPWDD’s I Spoke Out campaign states: every employee has the obligation to report abuse or neglect to their supervisor, and the right to do so without fear of retribution.
Another step in our reform efforts was a conceptual agreement to establish a consistent and rational table of penalties for employee misconduct, one part of the CSEA contract. Long overdue, the table of penalties will ensure that those guilty of the most egregious acts (like physical and sexual abuse) are terminated. It will also guarantee that all employees are held to the same standard, so that the rights of the individuals we serve are better protected. At the same time, it makes our dedicated workforce stronger.
This agency has the opportunity—and obligation—to provide more significant support for the vast majority of our employees who give so much of themselves. Reform is happening, and our workforce is a critical part of this process.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Burke
P.S. To receive updates as they happen, please remember to visit OPWDD online and on Facebook.